Spicy foods include capsaicin which is a potent ingredient that can be considered as an irritant to the body. This is the reason why it causes a burning sensation if in contact with the skin.
Capsaicin can also irritate the lining of the stomach or intestines. Some individuals can tolerate it but those who have a sensitive gut are likely to end up with diarrhea.
How does capsaicin trigger diarrhea?
The digestive process starts upon the entry of food until it is eliminated as waste. During the process, food moves via different organs. If food that contains capsaicin is eaten, a bodily response occurs which informs the brain that it is burning from within.
The brain attempts to interpret this stimulation and starts to release the body’s pain blockers or endorphins. This is the reason for the euphoric sensation.
Once the capsaicin irritates the small intestines, it travels rapidly than normal and ends at the colon. The process generally slows down but the receptors are excessively activated as a defense where the colon hastens the process. As a result, the colon could not absorb water and eventually leads to diarrhea.
When to consult a doctor
If diarrhea is triggered by spicy or hot foods, it is usually self-limiting and settle in 1-2 days. In most instances, self-care measures at home can make it easy on the gut along with eating non-spicy foods. It is vital to keep the body hydrated and avoid any caffeinated beverages that can worsen the diarrhea.
The symptoms that do not seem to settle in 1-2 days or those that worsen can lead to dehydration. In such cases, it is best to seek medical care for further assessment.
Prevention
If the individual frequently experiences diarrhea linked with spicy or hot foods, determining and avoiding the trigger foods is the best approach.
Some of the preventive measures include the following:
- If spicy food is eaten, it must be accompanied by some dairy which helps neutralize the effect.
- A small amount of something sweet helps since it binds to the receptors in the mouth