There’s no denying we’re a nation of curry lovers, with millions of us tucking in regularly to our favourite spicy dish. While it might leave our taste buds tingling, have you ever noticed your gut is far from happy the morning after?
Unfortunately, spicy food is one of the many foods that can trigger diarrhoea in those of us who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. But what’s the reason for this? And does it mean we need to say goodbye to our weekly balti? We chat to registered dietician Laura Clarkto uncover the connection between spicy foods and IBS.
The problem with Capsaicin
One of the reasons many of us struggle with spicy food is a compound called capsaicin, which is found in things like chilli and pepper. It’s thought that this compound gets things moving in our guts – which isn’t great news for those of us who are already prone to diarrhoea.
“Capsaicin, found within spicy food, accelerates gut transit time (or the speed which food moves through our guts),” explains Clark. Therefore, while this compound could benefit those who suffer with predominately constipation symptoms, it’s not so helpful to those with diarrhoea.
But diarrhoea isn’t the only IBS symptom that could be triggered by capsaicin. “Capsaicin can also cause abdominal pain and a burning sensation when it comes into contact with a certain receptor in the gut wall,” says Clark.
Why do some people have more symptoms than others?
If capsaicin triggers diarrhoea, surely we’d all need to avoid it, right? Well, not exactly. As we mentioned earlier, the problem begins when capsaicin interacts with a type of receptor in our gut. It’s thought that those who have IBS have more of these receptors present in their gut lining, making them potentially more susceptible to this problem than others.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone with IBS needs to ditch the spicy foods, but monitoring your intake could be worthwhile in getting to grips with IBS. “IBS sufferers do not necessarily need to avoid all spicy foods but it is a common gut irritant. A food and symptom diary can help decipher links,” suggests Clark.
Is capsaicin the only problem with spicy food?
If you prefer something milder than a vindaloo, you might wonder why you’re still struggling. But there’s many potential IBS triggers in your average curry. “Often the food that comes with a curry can be problematic too, for example onion, garlic or fat content.” explains Clark.
Many spicy dishes use plenty of garlic and onion – both of which are high in FODMAPs, a type ofshort chain carbohydrate that some individuals with IBS can find difficult to digest. Avoiding garlic and onion as part of a low FODMAP diet has been proven to make a real difference to IBS symptoms in many individuals.
But, even without garlic, many curries are equally high in spice and fat. Fat, like capsaicin, can trigger gut movement; with creamy dishes often a double whammy, since some individuals with IBS might struggle with fatty foods and may also belactose intolerant.
Healthcare professionals quoted in this article do not endorse any brands or products.
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FAQs
Spicy foods containing hot peppers are another cause of diarrhea. Capsaicin is the compound that makes chili peppers taste spicy. It is a potent chemical that can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. Avoiding foods high in capsaicin may help reduce symptoms and frequency of diarrhea.
How does spicy food affect the digestive system? ›
Increased production of mucus in the stomach and a temporary increase in metabolic rate, which can cause stomach cramping and pain. An increased rate of digestion in the intestines that can lead to diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting (usually only if the food is very spicy). Painful bowel movements.
How to eat spicy food without getting diarrhea? ›
The only surefire way to prevent diarrhea from spicy food is to figure out what your trigger foods are and avoid eating them. If you can't resist and want to at least ease the burn of spicy food going down, you've probably heard that eating something sweet or drinking a glass of milk can help.
Why is my stomach suddenly sensitive to spicy food? ›
One study specifically highlighted that frequent consumption of spicy foods can trigger upper gastrointestinal symptoms in some people with dyspepsia (or, indigestion). For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), spicy foods can also trigger symptoms.
Does spicy food give everyone diarrhea? ›
Capsaicin can irritate the lining of your stomach and intestines. Some people can handle the minor irritation just fine but for more sensitive stomachs, it can lead to diarrhea.
What causes diarrhea immediately after eating? ›
Diarrhea after eating can stem from various causes, including foodborne illnesses, food intolerances, allergies, as well as underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
How fast can spicy food cause diarrhea? ›
Hot peppers are a frequent offender when it comes to diarrhea, but they often don't cause symptoms until several hours after they are eaten. 3 Because of this time delay, some people might not make the connection.
Is spicy food bad for gut bacteria? ›
Spicy food, especially CAP, recently drew considerable attention from the perspective of their positive action on gut flora, by eliminating the disease-causing enteric pathogens, and encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria [21,22,23].
What organ does spicy food affect? ›
Capsaicin, released as a fine spray when you bite into foods that contain it, triggers heat receptors in the skin, tricking the nervous system into thinking you're overheating. In response, your brain cranks up all of your body's cooling mechanisms. In short, you don't taste spicy food. You feel it.
How to cool down the stomach after spicy food? ›
Drink milk with spicy meals. Casein, the protein found in milk, is able to bind with capsaicin and clear it fast from your system, hence reducing the burning sensation. Gulp down some cold sugar water. The interaction between sugar and capsaicin also reduces the burning sensation.
What Are the Best Over-the-Counter Anti-Diarrhea Medicines?
- Imodium A-D (loperamide) can help you have fewer bowel movements and might shorten your bout of diarrhea. ...
- Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate both contain bismuth subsalicylate. ...
- Probiotics might be helpful in treating diarrhea.
Spicy Foods
Most spices and herbs are low FODMAP and should not cause IBS symptoms, however certain spices such as chilli contain a chemical known as capsaicin. Capsaicin is responsible for the heat in chilli which can aggravate IBS symptoms.
Why does Mexican food give me diarrhea? ›
In addition to the issues described previously regarding too much salt, for some, the ingredients in the seasoning packets can irritate the lining of the intestines. This can lead to inflammation, cramps, and diarrhea. Making your own taco seasoning using fresh herbs and spices is an easy remedy.
What country eats the most spicy food? ›
Countries with the Spiciest Food
- Thailand: Thailand is frequently considered to have the spiciest food in the world. ...
- Mexico: Mexican cuisine liberally makes use of both fresh and dried chili peppers, many of which are quite spicy.
Heartburn is a painful burning sensation or feeling of discomfort in the upper chest or throat, usually after eating. Symptoms occur when acid from your stomach backtracks into the esophagus. Heartburn can be caused by alcohol, spicy or acidic foods, overeating, or an underlying medical condition such as GERD.
Does your stomach get used to spicy food? ›
And while eating spicy foods in moderation is good for you, it's best to avoid any spicy-food challenges if you're not used to high levels of capsaicin. But if you're itching to up your spice game, you can gradually build a tolerance to spicier foods. Just go slowly and listen to your body, advises Dr. Capin.
How long does it take for spicy food to pass through? ›
Because the sensation of heat and pain is from a chemical reaction, it will eventually fade once the capsaicin molecules neutralize and stop binding to the receptors. Typically, this takes about 20 minutes, Currie said. It may take longer depending on the person and the heat of the pepper.
