Foods In Your Diet That Are A Significant Cause Of Diarrhoeal Issues

Your dietary habits have an impact on your overall well-being. One such common digestive issue which is caused due to improper diet is diarrhoea. It leads to uncomfortable symptoms and at times tends to become chronic.

Diarrhoea is characterised by having loose and watery stools three or more times a day. While stomach infection is always attributed to be the leading cause of this condition, diet also plays an important part and is often overlooked.

As we age, our digestive system goes through major changes and becomes intolerant to certain foods. While you once digested spicy foods, now your stomach might not be able to do so and you might develop digestive issues.

Similarly, there are several other food items that act as major triggers for diarrhoeal issues. Understanding which food item is responsible for irritation in the stomach and watery stools is important to manage the condition.

What Are The Main Dietary Triggers For Diarrhoea?

According to the opinion of a gastroenterologist in Kolkata, your diet is the main cause of diarrhoeal issues. Below are the food items which you must be consuming unknowingly, unaware of the fact they are the reason behind your loose stool and abdominal discomfort.

High-fat food: Foods which are rich in fat such as fried and greasy items become difficult for the body to digest and pass through the digestive system. Our body needs time to process fat and consuming too much of it in a short time irritates the stomach lining and builds up in the small intestine and colon. This is where they pull in water and lead to watery poop.
Dairy products: It might happen that you are lactose intolerant. Individuals with this condition find it hard to break down lactose which is present in dairy products. Hence, after consuming milk, cheese, ice cream and custard, you suffer from a bloated stomach, gas and loose motions.
Spicy foods: Spicy foods, especially those containing a high amount of capsaicin( a chemical compound found in chilli and peppers) irritate and cause inflammation in the stomach lining. It even speeds up the gut transit time and forces the compound to leave the GI tract before breaking down leading to a burning sensation in the stomach.
Artificial sweeteners: Sugar-free products and chewing gums have artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol. They have a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts resulting in the water being pulled down in the small intestine or fermented by gut bacteria causing diarrhoea, gas and bloating.
Caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine found in tea and coffee stimulates the muscles of the stomach and increases bowel movements. Some people suffer from digestive issues even after consuming a small amount of caffeine. Similarly, too much alcohol intake increases the stomach’s acid which irritates its lining and eventually leads to diarrhoea.
Too much fibre: While eating fibre is good for bowel movements, the overload of fibre increases the frequency of bowel movements, especially if the fibre is insoluble. Sources of insoluble fibre include beans, potatoes, cauliflower and nuts. Moreover, too much fibre even causes bloating, gas and cramps.
Contaminated food and water: This is one of the common causes of loose motions and food poisoning. Improperly cooked and stale foods contain bacteria such as E-coli responsible for severe stomach illness. Similarly, contaminated water contains harmful pathogens causing diarrhoeal problems, headache, fever and nausea.

Final Words

Identifying the foods and drinks that trigger diarrhoeal issues is important to prevent the disease. In that way, you can make a gradual change in your diet to reduce the chance of diet-induced diarrhoea and have a healthier digestive system. If the condition still persists, make sure to consult a top gastroenterologist in Kolkata.