5 Food Ingredients That Can Lead to Diarrhea

Some people might know that certain foods can cause gastrointestinal issues, for instance, too much fiber, or for many, dairy products. However, there are also hidden ingredients found in packaged foods that can provoke diarrhea. Next time you can't figure out what food caused sudden digestive problems, check for these five food ingredients that can be found in some foods that lead to diarrhea.

1. Artificial fats

Artificial fats (trans fats) like olestra also called Olean are used in things like low-fat chips. Our bodies cannot absorb or digest these fake fats and thus provoke abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Try to avoid this additive and check the labels on any "light" or "fat-free" snacks that should normally pack a lot of fat to find out what was added as a substitute.

2. Carrageenan

This ingredient is most commonly contained in almond milk. Carrageenan is derived from seaweed and algae that may also be found in dairy products like yogurt and cheese. According to some research, carrageenan possesses laxative properties which means it can cause diarrhea. This ingredient actually acts like laxative medications. 

3. Vitamin C

Consuming or taking too much vitamin C makes your body unable to absorb it. This may speed up how fast the stomach empties leading to nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. You need to monitor how much vitamin C you get since too high doses may lead to prolonged discomfort. 

Check your multivitamins, find out how much vitamin C they contain, and look at how much C you're getting from your foods. Large amounts of vitamin C are contained in chili peppers, rose hips, sweet yellow peppers, guavas, spinach, parsley, kale, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, lemons, oranges, and strawberries. 

4. Guar gum and xanthan gum

Gums are often found in many foods and medications. They're usually used as gluten substitutes. Guar gum and xanthan gum are full of soluble fiber, which is essential for gut health and helps normalize bowel movements when eaten in reasonable amounts. However consuming too much fiber, especially sharply increasing fiber intake will always result in gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, guar and xanthan gum can lead to flatulence, bloating, and diarrhea.

5. Sugar alcohols

Actually, sugar alcohols don’t contain alcohol. They are just artificial sweeteners that are made from carbohydrates created in a lab. Sugar alcohols are commonly used for providing fewer calories than sugar. They are also beneficial for those who suffer from diabetes since they don’t cause blood sugar spikes. Sugar alcohols are contained in sugar-free gums, candies, and ice cream or other packaged foods labeled as low-sugar or no-sugar-added. 

Maltitol and sorbitol are one of the most popular sugar alcohols containing in foods. Both can provoke unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and distention. This is due to the fact that most people are not able to digest these fake sugars. If you want to reduce your calorie intake, it’s important to consult a gastroenterologist instead of eating only low-sugar foods. This will help you avoid digestive and other health issues.