Photo: Anete Lusina

Can chilli cause bowel inflammation?

There is very little data about the effect spicy food can have on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some people do report pain in their GI tract or stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea after eating spicy food and avoid it because of this.

ibdrelief.com - Spicy food and IBD | Crohn's & colitis - IBDrelief

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Spicy food and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Some people with inflammatory bowel disease have reported that spicy foods can cause a negative effect on their symptoms. Here we take a look at some of the reasons why that may be to help you make your own decision about whether it may be having an effect on you.

What is spicy food?

Effects of spicy food

Spicy food and IBD

What is spicy food? Spicy foods are foods that give a ‘kick’ when being eaten. This can often feel like heat or burning in your mouth. Spicy food is often created using foods that contain capsaicin. When eaten capsaicin reacts with the pain receptors on your tongue and makes it feel like your mouth is burning (or anything else that touches it). Foods that contain capsaicin include: Chillis

Chilli powder

Paprika

Cayenne pepper

Peppers (capsicum) These are all members of the nightshade family. Other foods used to create spice include: Black pepper

Nutmeg

Cloves

Mustard

Horseradish

What effect does it have on the body? In general, hot, spicy foods are stimulants. They stimulate the circulation and raise body temperature which can make people who eat them feel good and provide an energy boost. In hot countries they can help people to feel cool by bringing body temperature higher, reducing the gap between the person’s temperature and the air temperature. Spicy food can cause skin irritation when handled and can cause a burning sensation inside the mouth (which can lead to blistering with very spicy food). It can also increase stomach acid after being eaten. Spicy food and IBD There is very little data about the effect spicy food can have on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some people do report pain in their GI tract or stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea after eating spicy food and avoid it because of this. This may be due to the increase in stomach acid which takes place when spicy food is eaten. Researchers looking into the dietary practices of a group of people with IBD found that 41% of people taking part considered spicy food to worsen symptoms1. Another reason that many people with IBDs, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, find some spicy food triggers their symptoms is because they may be sensitive to foods containing nightshades. You can read more about nightshades and IBD here.

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Does chili cause gas and bloating?

While many people are not affected, for some, excess chilli or onion and garlic can be real triggers for stomach ache, bloating and heartburn.

rennie.co.uk - Foods to avoid if you suffer from bloating - Rennie

Getting stuck into a long lunch or a Sunday roast with all the trimmings should always be a pleasure – but if you suffer from bloating it can eventually become more of a pain.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way!

Rennie looks at a few small changes you can make to your diet which can let you enjoy a good feed and minimise the chances of feeling bloated.

TRIGGER FOODS FOR FEELING BLOATED

FATTY FOODS

Foods which are fried or particularly greasy add strain to your digestive system, also increasing the risk of heartburn and stomach aches.

SALTY FOODS

They encourage the body to retain more water. Keep this in mind if you are prone to buying ready meals or rely on a packet of crisps as a pick-me-up snack.

BEANS

We’re all familiar with the playground chants, and the science behind them shouldn’t be overlooked. Beans are high in a sugar (oligosaccharides) that the body cannot digest. When bacteria in our digestive systems tries to break them up, gas is the painful product.

WHEAT

Some people simply find certain foods hard to digest and this can include foods such as white breads, pasta and cereals due to a wheat sensitivity. Great alternatives include porridge, buckwheat pasta and quinoa.

SPICES AND ONIONS

While many people are not affected, for some, excess chilli or onion and garlic can be real triggers for stomach ache, bloating and heartburn.

FIZZY DRINKS

The fizz in these drinks is created by carbon dioxide – a gas. So, guzzling large amounts of carbonated drinks means you’re taking in a lot of excess gas (not to mention sugar).

TOP TIPS TO HELP AVOID BLOATING

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