If you've been seeing headlines about Cyclospora—the parasite behind what's been memorably described as "explosive diarrhea"—you're not alone. Cases are rising in several parts of the country this summer, and the news coverage has understandably gotten people's attention.
But before you swear off salads for the rest of the season, here's some reassuring context:
Cyclospora isn't new. It's a microscopic protozoan parasite that infects thousands of people in the U.S. every year. What's different this summer is that several states are seeing larger-than-usual outbreaks, with cases increasing more rapidly than we typically see. California, however, is not currently experiencing the same surge, and there are no known local outbreaks.
So yes—it's worth paying attention. But no, it's not time to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables.
What exactly is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora (Cyclospora cayetanensis) is a microscopic protozoan parasite. If you've ever heard of Giardia or Entamoeba, it's in the same general family of intestinal protozoal infections.
Once ingested, it infects the small intestine and can cause:
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Profuse watery diarrhea (sometimes explosive)
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Abdominal cramping
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Bloating
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Fatigue
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Nausea
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Loss of appetite
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Weight loss
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Weakness and dehydration
One of the frustrating things about Cyclospora is that symptoms can linger for weeks—or even longer—if it's not diagnosed and treated appropriately.
Unlike many bacterial causes of food poisoning, Cyclospora requires a specific antibiotic combination—trimethoprim-
Why does it show up in summer?
Summer has always been the season of gastrointestinal infections.
Warmer temperatures, outdoor eating, picnics, travel, irrigation water, and food sitting out all create more opportunities for microbes to spread. Long before modern microbiology, the Eclectic physicians of the late 1800s even wrote about treating what they called "summer diarrhea." One of their favorite herbs? Meadowsweet, a beautifully soothing digestive herb that remains one of my favorites today.
Cyclospora is simply one more reminder that summertime is a wonderful season to give your digestive system a little extra support.
How is Cyclospora spread?
Most current outbreaks appear to be linked to fresh produce, particularly leafy greens, herbs, and other foods eaten raw. Contaminated water is another possible source.
Unlike many gastrointestinal infections, Cyclospora is not typically spread directly from one person to another. The parasite has to spend time in the environment before it becomes infectious, which is why contaminated food and water—not casual contact—are the primary routes of transmission.
A few important facts:
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Alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not reliably kill Cyclospora.
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Washing your hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water does.
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Wash fresh produce well under running water.
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Removing the outer leaves of lettuce is a smart extra precaution.
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Whenever practical, I prefer buying whole heads of lettuce over pre-chopped bagged salads.
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Cooking destroys the parasite.
Again, this doesn't mean you should stop eating vegetables. Fresh produce remains one of the healthiest parts of the human diet.
It simply means practicing good food hygiene.
Support your gut before you need it
Whether Cyclospora is making headlines or not, summer is an excellent time to give your digestive system a little extra support.
Of course, even the healthiest gut can't prevent you from becoming infected with Cyclospora if you're exposed. But a healthy digestive tract and a well-supported microbiome can help support normal immune function in the intestine, improve resilience during illness, and aid recovery from gastrointestinal infections.
This is also a wonderful opportunity to take charge of any digestive issues you've been meaning to address.
That means focusing on:
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Reducing chronic gut inflammation
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Healing the intestinal lining
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Supporting a healthy microbiome
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Maintaining healthy stomach acid production
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Addressing underlying digestive issues like SIBO when appropriate
Repair the gut lining
If your digestion has been struggling, I often recommend nutrients that help calm inflammation and support the integrity of the intestinal lining, including:
These can be especially helpful during recovery from gastrointestinal infections or for anyone living with chronic digestive inflammation.
Build a resilient microbiome
A healthy microbiome is one of the best investments you can make in your digestive health.
Some of my favorite probiotics include:
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Seed Daily Synbiotic
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Orthobiotic — a shelf-stable probiotic containing saccharommyces that's especially great for travel
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Saccharomyces boulardii for anyone prone to SIBO, yeast overgrowth, or anyone taking antibiotics
Saccharomyces deserves special mention. Because it's a beneficial yeast—not a bacterium—it isn't killed by antibiotics. It has been well studied for reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and lowering the risk of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), one of the more serious complications that can follow antibiotic treatment.
If you do end up needing antibiotics for Cyclospora or another gastrointestinal infection, S. boulardii is one supplement I almost always recommend taking alongside them.
Feed your microbiome, too
Probiotics are only half of the equation. Just as important is feeding the beneficial microbes that already live in your gut.
Dietary fiber is the primary fuel for many of our beneficial bacteria, allowing them to produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids that nourish the cells lining the colon, support normal immune function, and help maintain a healthy intestinal environment.
Whenever possible, I encourage getting plenty of fiber from whole foods—especially a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains (as tolerated). One of the reasons I don't want people avoiding fresh produce because of Cyclospora headlines is that those colorful plant foods are among the very things that help cultivate a healthy, diverse microbiome. Diversity in the diet helps foster diversity in the microbiome.
For those who need a little extra support, two of my favorite fiber supplements are:
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Sunfiber— a gentle, low-FODMAP soluble fiber that's particularly well tolerated by people with IBS or SIBO.
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GI Fortify— a thoughtfully formulated blend of soluble and insoluble fibers that nourishes beneficial bacteria while supporting healthy bowel function.
Building a resilient microbiome isn't just about taking probiotics—it's also about giving those beneficial organisms the nourishment they need to thrive.
Our Summer Gut Bug Rescue Kit
We don't travel anywhere in the summer without our Gut Bug Rescue Kit.
Mine includes:
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Electrolytes
These aren't treatments for Cyclospora itself—but they can be incredibly helpful supportive tools when you're recovering from almost any gastrointestinal infection.
The Stomach Curing Pills offers quick relief when nausea or digestive upset strike, while activated charcoal helps bind bacterial toxins and other inflammatory byproducts. Just remember to take charcoal at least two hours away from medications, supplements, and meals, since it binds those, too.
Another botanical I frequently reach for is enteric-coated berberine, which offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and delivers the herb into the small intestine, where it's often most helpful.
Don't forget your bitters
One of the simplest ways to support digestive resilience is by encouraging healthy stomach acid production.
Digestive bitters stimulate your body's own digestive secretions and help prepare your gastrointestinal tract to do its job well.
Some seasonal favorites include:
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Gut Love Bitters — gentle, restorative digestive support for everyday use
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Salad Bitters — a stimluating, spicy bitter, perfect before summer meals
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GB Bitters — a more robust formula containing traditional antimicrobial herbs, including wormwood
The bottom line
Cyclospora deserves attention—but not panic.
The current outbreaks are real, but they're concentrated in certain parts of the country, and California is not currently seeing an unusual increase in cases.
So this summer:
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Wash your hands well with soap and water.
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Wash your produce thoroughly.
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Consider buying whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-cut salad mixes; remove outer layers. Peel fruits and veggies if necessary.
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Continue eating a colorful, fiber-rich diet to nourish a healthy microbiome.
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Support your gut with healthy digestion, probiotics, and fiber.
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Stay hydrated, especially when traveling.
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And if you develop diarrhea that lasts more than a few days—particularly after travel or eating fresh produce—contact your healthcare provider. Cyclospora requires specific testing and treatment.
Summer should still be about farmers markets, peaches, tomatoes, basil, picnics, and beautiful salads.
Some common sense approaches, a little extra care with food preparation, and a well-supported gut can go a long way toward helping you enjoy the season.