Having diarrhea isn't uncommon and there might be numerous causes behind this ailment. In fact, many foods, including spicy meals and certain ingredients, can make you more prone to diarrhea. If you've wondered why that happens, you have come to the right place. This article focuses on spicy-food-caused diarrhea, its underlying causes, and things you can do to prevent it.
Why Can Spicy Food Cause Diarrhea?
Food is a common cause of diarrhea, even if we usually associate this gastrointestinal problem with other causes like a bacterial infection. But what causes diarrhea after eating spicy food? It all comes down to the main active compound called capsaicin.
1. How capsaicin causes diarrhea?
Spicy foods, like red hot chili peppers, contain an active compound called capsaicin. Regular intake of capsaicin-rich foods promotes weight management, alleviates pain, reduces the risk of various cancers, and exhibits many other positive health effects. However, capsaicin in spicy foods can lead to diarrhea. Capsaicin irritates the small intestine, thereby the food moves along faster than usual to reach the colon. The process usually slows down in the colon. Still, VR1 receptors stimulated by capsaicin are activated, the colon accelerates the whole process while stopping to absorb water. That's why you end up hurrying to the bathroom due to diarrhea.
Let's not forget the fact that spicy foods cause a burning sensation in your mouth. During the digestion process, your body still doesn't break the nutrients down properly. In addition, capsaicin remains in loose stools, irritating the anal canal. This process creates a burning sensation during bowel movements.
2. Other ingredients that may trigger diarrhea
Even though capsaicin is the main active compound in spicy food causing diarrhea, there are many other ingredients that can induce the same effect. Capsaicin is one of many capsaicinoids. This substance is more widely researched than other compounds in spicy foods.
- Some other capsaicinoids
Other capsaicinoids include homocapsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and nordihydrocapsaicin. While more research is required to discover their full effects, they do have the potential to exhibit the same impact, including colon irritation and producing a burning sensation which can lead to diarrhea.
- Vitamin C and zinc
It's also important to mention that some nutrients found in spicy foods can lead to spicy food causing diarrhea. Let's take chili peppers as an example. They are abundant in vitamin C that can cause diarrhea when taken too much. Zinc is in the same boat: a common nutrient in spicy food while carrying the risk of causing diarrhea.
- Choline
Spicy foods are a rich source of choline, an essential nutrient required for metabolism and other functions. Taking too much choline can lead to various side effects, including diarrhea. This only goes to show that moderate consumption is always the key.
- Other foods
Besides spicy foods, other types of food can lead to diarrhea, such as spicy seasonings, artificial sweeteners, coffee, milk, garlic, and onions. For instance, have you ever wondered why does popcorn give me diarrhea? After all, popcorn is a good source of fiber which should help manage or prevent diarrhea. If you consume a high-fiber diet, the cumulative effect could be enough to cause diarrhea. But if you eat buttered popcorn, lactose intolerance could be the cause too.
3. Digestive diseases can be the culprit
Diarrhea after consumption of spicy food isn't just a consequence of compounds present in those foods. You're more likely to have diarrhea if you also have some digestive disease such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies show that participants with IBS experience more gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea than their counterparts when consuming spicy foods. Gastritis is yet another very common digestive disease aggravated by spicy foods and exhibits symptoms such as diarrhea.
Prevention Tips
Although frustrating, diarrhea is a preventable gastrointestinal problem. If you're into spicy foods and deal with diarrhea, or you just want to prevent it from happening at all, then you need to follow these tips:
- Increase fiber intake through higher consumption of fruits and vegetables
- If you have spicy food causing diarrhea, consider lowering exposure to those foods or ingredients
- Don't skip meals
- Eat dairy with spicy food to neutralize the burning effect
- Eat spicy food in smaller portions
- Avoid consuming spicy foods late at night
- Exercise regularly
Bottom Line
Spicy foods are incredibly delicious! Most people love to eat them, but it's not unusual to have diarrhea later. This gastrointestinal concern could be due to an underlying digestive problem such as IBS, but also as a result of irritation, capsaicinoids, and other nutrients. Fortunately, diet and lifestyle changes help you prevent diarrhea after eating spicy foods.