What Can You Drink When You Have Candida?

November 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to some natural health proponents, a significant percentage of the population may experience candida overgrowth without a proper diagnosis. Knowing what can you drink when you have candida is crucial, as avoiding sugary, yeast-promoting beverages is a key part of managing symptoms and restoring gut balance.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines the best beverages for a candida diet, focusing on hydration and antifungal options. It covers safe drinks like water, herbal teas, and certain milks, while explaining why sugary, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages should be avoided. The article also provides a comparison table and practical tips for staying hydrated while on the diet.

Key Points

Filtered Water: The best choice for hydration, helping to flush toxins during die-off without adding contaminants.
Herbal Teas: Many varieties, like Pau d'Arco, green tea, and ginger, offer antifungal properties that combat candida.
Probiotic Drinks: Unsweetened kefir and plain yogurt introduce beneficial bacteria to rebalance gut flora.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Consuming diluted ACV can create a less hospitable environment for yeast overgrowth due to its antifungal nature.
Unsweetened Nut Milks: Homemade almond and coconut milks are good alternatives to dairy, ensuring no hidden sugars or additives.
Avoid Sugary Drinks: Sodas, fruit juices, and any sweetened beverages must be avoided as sugar is candida's primary food source.
Limit Alcohol and Caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can promote candida growth by spiking blood sugar and stressing the immune system.

Hydration: The Foundation of the Candida Diet

Proper hydration is a cornerstone of the candida diet, helping to flush out toxins released during the die-off process and supporting overall bodily functions. Filtered water is the best choice, as it's free from the chemicals found in tap water that could potentially disrupt gut flora.

Infused Waters and Herbal Teas

To add variety to your hydration routine, consider infusing your water with slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber. Citrus fruits are low in sugar and provide flavor without feeding the yeast.

Herbal teas are another excellent option, with many varieties offering antifungal properties. Some of the most beneficial include Pau d'Arco, which has powerful anti-microbial effects, and green tea, known for its polyphenols. Other supportive teas include calendula, ginger, cinnamon, and chamomile, which can help control yeast growth and reduce inflammation. When preparing herbal teas, be sure to use high-quality organic herbs to avoid pesticide residue.

Probiotic-Rich Drinks for Gut Support

Rebalancing your gut microbiome is a key part of recovering from candida overgrowth, and certain probiotic drinks can aid this process.

Unsweetened Kefir and Yogurt

Organic, unsweetened kefir and plain yogurt, particularly those made from goat or sheep's milk, contain beneficial bacteria that can help repopulate the gut with healthy flora. However, it's important to choose varieties with no added sugars, as sugar feeds candida. Always monitor your body's reaction, as some people may be sensitive to dairy.

The Role of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has known antifungal properties and can make the body less hospitable to yeast overgrowth. Drinking a small amount of diluted, unfiltered ACV in water can be a supportive addition to your daily routine. However, further research is needed on its specific effects within the human body.

Healthy Milk Alternatives

For those who prefer a milky beverage, unsweetened nut and coconut milks are a good choice. Store-bought versions often contain hidden sugars and additives, so preparing your own at home is the best way to control ingredients. Look for varieties without additives, or make simple almond or coconut milk at home.

Coffee and Caffeine on the Candida Diet

Caffeine can be problematic for those with candida for several reasons, including its potential to destabilize blood sugar and stress the immune system. While complete abstinence may not be necessary for everyone, many find limiting or eliminating caffeine to be beneficial. Alternatives like chicory coffee offer a similar taste without the caffeine.

A Comparison of Candida-Friendly and Unfriendly Drinks


Drink Category	Candida-Friendly Options	Candida-Unfriendly Options	Rationale
Water	Filtered water, infused water with lemon/lime	Sugary drinks, juices, sodas	Sugar feeds candida; filtered water avoids contaminants.
Teas	Herbal teas (Pau d'Arco, green, ginger, cinnamon)	Caffeinated teas, sweetened teas	Many herbs have antifungal properties, while caffeine affects blood sugar.
Milk	Unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, organic kefir (no sugar)	Dairy with lactose (milk, soft cheese), sweetened milk alternatives	Lactose is a sugar; additives can contain hidden sugars.
Coffee	Decaffeinated coffee, chicory coffee	Regular coffee (caffeinated)	Caffeine can suppress the immune system and spike blood sugar.
Fermented	Unsweetened kefir, kombucha (caution with sugar content)	Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits), vinegars (except ACV)	Probiotics support gut health, while alcohol and yeast-based vinegars fuel candida.

Drinks to Avoid Absolutely

To effectively manage candida, it is critical to avoid beverages that provide fuel for yeast overgrowth. These include all forms of alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) due to their high sugar and yeast content. Sweetened juices, sodas, and energy drinks are also off-limits, as their simple sugars cause rapid spikes in blood sugar that feed candida. Even fruit juices, which seem healthy, are too concentrated in sugar for an anti-candida diet.

Supporting Your Body During a Candida Cleanse

When starting a candida cleanse, you may experience 'die-off' symptoms caused by toxins released by the dying yeast. Supporting your detoxification pathways with plenty of filtered water, bone broth, and green drinks can help mitigate these symptoms.

Conclusion

Making mindful beverage choices is a powerful step in managing candida overgrowth. By focusing on filtered water, detoxifying teas, and unsweetened probiotic options like kefir or ACV, you can create a drinking regimen that supports your body's healing process. Avoiding sugary, alcoholic, and high-caffeine drinks starves the yeast and allows beneficial gut flora to flourish, contributing to better overall health and a reduction in candida-related symptoms. While anecdotal evidence is strong, it's always wise to consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive treatment plan, but these dietary adjustments can be a beneficial part of your recovery.

Visit The Candida Diet for additional resources on diet and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Filtered water is preferred because it reduces exposure to chemicals and contaminants that can potentially disrupt the balance of gut microorganisms.

It is generally advised to limit or avoid regular caffeinated coffee. Caffeine can stress the immune system and cause blood sugar spikes, which can feed candida.

No. While unsweetened kefir contains beneficial probiotics, fermented beverages like alcohol should be avoided due to their sugar and yeast content, which promotes candida growth.

Unsweetened nut milks, such as homemade almond or coconut milk, are good choices. Some people tolerate organic, sugar-free kefir and goat or sheep's milk yogurt well.

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can make the body a less favorable environment for candida. However, it should always be diluted.

No, fruit juices are too concentrated in sugar and must be avoided. The high sugar content provides fuel for candida overgrowth.

'Die-off' symptoms occur when candida releases toxins as it dies off. Drinking plenty of filtered water, herbal tea, or bone broth helps the body flush these toxins and mitigate symptoms.