Researchers looked at many studies about using special nutritional drinks and foods to help children recover from diarrhea. They found that these supplements can really work—some formulas helped kids get better 100% of the time. The best supplements contained zinc and fiber, while yogurt and lactose-free milk were also very helpful. This research shows that giving children the right nutrients during diarrhea can shorten how long they’re sick and reduce their symptoms. Since diarrhea is still a major health problem for children worldwide, especially in poorer countries, finding effective treatments is really important.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether special nutritional drinks and food supplements can help children recover faster from diarrhea and feel better sooner
  • Who participated: This review looked at many different studies involving children with diarrhea from around the world. The exact number of children studied wasn’t specified, but the researchers examined multiple research papers to find patterns
  • Key finding: Oral nutritional supplements appear to be effective at reducing diarrhea symptoms and shortening how long kids are sick. Some specific formulas showed success rates as high as 100%, particularly those containing zinc, fiber, yogurt, or lactose-free milk
  • What it means for you: If your child has diarrhea, giving them the right nutritional supplements—especially ones with zinc and fiber—may help them recover faster. However, talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, as what works best depends on your child’s specific situation

The Research Details

This was a systematic review, which means researchers searched through many published studies about nutritional supplements and diarrhea in children. They looked in multiple scientific databases using specific search terms to find all the relevant research. Instead of doing their own experiment, they analyzed and compared the results from all these other studies to see what patterns emerged.

By combining information from many different studies, researchers can get a bigger picture of whether something actually works. This approach is stronger than looking at just one study because it shows whether results are consistent across different groups of children and different types of supplements.

The researchers paid special attention to which ingredients and foods appeared most helpful. They looked at which supplements had the best success rates and tried to figure out why some worked better than others.

A systematic review is a powerful way to understand what really works because it brings together all the available evidence instead of relying on one study. This helps doctors and parents make better decisions about treatment. Since diarrhea is still a leading cause of death in children worldwide, especially in developing countries, finding proven treatments is critically important. Understanding which supplements work best can help save lives and reduce suffering.

This study looked at multiple research papers, which makes it more reliable than a single study. However, the quality depends on the studies they reviewed—if those studies weren’t well-designed, the conclusions may be less trustworthy. The researchers didn’t specify exactly how many studies they reviewed or provide detailed information about their search methods, which would have made the review stronger. The fact that some formulas showed 100% success rates is impressive but should be interpreted carefully, as real-world results often vary.

What the Results Show

The main finding is that oral nutritional supplements—meaning drinks and foods given by mouth rather than through tubes—can effectively reduce diarrhea symptoms in children. Some formulas showed remarkably high success rates, with certain supplements helping 100% of children who used them recover better or faster.

The researchers discovered that not all supplements work equally well. The ingredients matter a lot. Supplements that contained zinc (a mineral important for immune function) and fiber (which helps with digestion) were among the most effective. These ingredients appear to help children’s bodies fight the infection and restore normal digestion.

Beyond supplements, certain foods also showed strong benefits. Yogurt and lactose-free milk were particularly helpful. This makes sense because yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that support gut health, and lactose-free milk provides nutrition without the sugar that can sometimes make diarrhea worse.

The overall message is clear: giving children the right nutritional support during diarrhea—whether through special supplements or specific foods—can meaningfully improve their recovery.

The research shows that the success of any supplement depends heavily on its specific formula and ingredients. This means parents and doctors shouldn’t assume all supplements work the same way. Choosing supplements with zinc and fiber, or using yogurt and lactose-free milk, appears to give better results than generic options. This finding suggests that understanding what’s in a supplement matters as much as using a supplement at all.

This research builds on existing knowledge that nutrition is crucial for treating diarrhea. Previous research has shown that malnourished children have much worse outcomes from diarrhea—they get sicker and stay sick longer. This new systematic review confirms that actively providing good nutrition through supplements can reverse this problem. It strengthens the evidence that nutrition isn’t just helpful background support; it’s an active part of treatment.

The review didn’t specify how many studies were included or provide detailed information about the quality of those studies. Some of the studies reviewed might have been small or poorly designed, which could affect the reliability of the conclusions. The 100% success rates mentioned should be viewed cautiously—these may come from small studies or specific populations and might not apply to all children. The review also didn’t clearly explain whether the supplements work equally well for all types of diarrhea or all age groups of children. More information about how long benefits last and whether supplements prevent diarrhea from coming back would have been helpful.

The Bottom Line

For children with diarrhea, oral nutritional supplements—especially those containing zinc and fiber—appear to be helpful and worth discussing with your doctor (moderate confidence). Yogurt and lactose-free milk are also good options and may be easier to give since they’re regular foods (moderate to high confidence). These supplements seem to work best when started early in the illness. Always consult with your child’s healthcare provider before starting supplements, especially if your child has severe diarrhea, fever, or signs of dehydration.

Parents and caregivers of children with diarrhea should pay attention to this research. Healthcare providers treating children with diarrhea should consider these findings when recommending treatment. This is especially important in developing countries where diarrhea is more common and more dangerous. Children who are malnourished or have weak immune systems may benefit most from these supplements. However, if a child shows signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, no tears, sunken eyes, or lethargy), they need immediate medical care—supplements alone aren’t enough in emergencies.

Children may start feeling better within a few days of receiving proper nutritional support, though the exact timeline depends on the type of diarrhea and which supplement is used. Some children might see improvement within 24-48 hours, while others may take a week or more. The goal is to shorten the overall duration of illness and reduce symptom severity. Recovery is usually gradual rather than sudden.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily bowel movements (number and consistency) and note which supplement or food your child is receiving. Rate symptom severity on a simple scale (mild, moderate, severe) each day to see if symptoms improve over time
  • Set reminders to give your child the supplement or food at consistent times each day. Log what you’re using and any changes you notice. Share this information with your doctor at appointments to help them see what’s working
  • Keep a 2-week log showing the type of supplement used, daily symptom changes, and recovery progress. This helps identify which supplements work best for your child and provides useful information for your healthcare provider

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Diarrhea in children can be serious, especially if accompanied by fever, blood in stool, severe dehydration, or if the child is very young or has a weakened immune system. Always consult with your child’s doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or making changes to treatment. In cases of severe dehydration or signs of serious illness, seek immediate medical attention. This review suggests supplements may be helpful, but they work best as part of a complete treatment plan guided by healthcare professionals.