Most spicy foods cause diarrhea due to a chemical calledcapsaicin.
This chemical triggers a specific receptor that causes a burning sensation.
However, this reaction to spicy foods is actually completely normal.
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It’s a sign that your body is hard at work protecting you from possible harm.
Foods made with hot spices such as cayenne or chili peppers contain a powerful ingredient called capsaicin.
The substance can irritate your skin and other bodily tissuesincluding the lining of your gut.
When you eat hot peppers or salsa, capsaicin is what causes the burning sensation and the symptoms.
Capsaicin and Your Stomach
Capsaicin can irritate the lining of your stomach and intestines.
Endorphins are also the feel good hormones in the body.
The burning effect of capsaicin triggers the body to take action against what it interprets as potential harm.
Usually, digestion slows when food gets to the colon so the intestines can absorb water.
But when you’ve eaten something spicy, capsaicin activates your GI tract’s TRPV1 receptors.
It may also reduce overall inflammation and help prevent some cancers.
Foods That Contain Capsaicin
Capsaicinoidsmake peppers spicy.
Dairy contains a protein called casein that helps break down capsaicin.
Sugary beverages:Consider sipping on a sweet drink.
Pepto-Bismol:Anecdotally, Pepto-Bismol may helpprevent diarrheaand some symptoms from eating spicy foods.
However, there isn’t a lot of data on the topic.
Pregnancy:Pregnant individuals are sometimes more susceptible to GI upsets like nausea, diarrhea, and heartburn.
Avoiding spicy foods during pregnancy may help reduce heartburn and other GI issues, such as diarrhea.
Several foods can also helpease diarrhea symptoms.
Summary
Some people’s guts are sensitive to spicy foods.
Eating too much spicy food can cause them to experience diarrhea.
If this describes you, it’s simply your body’s way of protecting itself from potential harm.
you could take steps to prevent diarrhea by recognizing your trigger foods and avoiding them.
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