In normal circumstances, bell peppers do not cause diarrhea in healthy individuals. If, however, you are experiencing diarrhea after the consumption of bell peppers, it can be related to conditions such as intolerances, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning. Diarrhea has been defined as frequent watery stools by the ‘New York Times Health Guide’. If you are experiencing diarrhea after consuming bell pepper, then it could have been a coincidence or you may be allergic to bell pepper. The possible causes of diarrhea due to bell pepper energy include;
Diarrhea may be caused if you consume unwashed bell pepper (or any other veggie or fruit). Unwashed bell pepper can hold all sorts of substances that could trigger bacteria. Dirt, bacteria and feces transmitted by flies, are a few examples of the typical muck you will find on your stand vegetable/fruit. Consuming unwashed bell pepper may lead to campylobacter infection or salmonella which can lead to a number of symptoms which include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Consuming any fruit or vegetable which is not fresh can lead to food poisoning and consequently, diarrhea.
Bell pepper allergy is a very, very rare allergy but it is a known allergy, nonetheless. The most common symptoms of bell pepper allergy are skin rashes and itchiness. Similar to most allergies, a very serious and rare symptom of bell pepper can be ‘anaphylaxis’ which can even result in death.
Diarrhea may also be a result of bell pepper allergy, albeit bell pepper allergy is rare, so chances, are its something else. Diarrhea can be caused within a few minutes of the consumption of the offending food, or it may take hours; it all depends on the time. According to the ‘Saturday Early Show” medical correspondent Dr. Mallika Marshall, bell peppers do not normally generate a food allergy or any sort of intolerance. The major difference between the two food conditions is that food allergy is a slightly exaggerated reaction of the immune system, whereas food intolerance is the incapability of the body to digest the bell pepper consumed. Food allergies symptoms are caused in your respiratory system, cardiovascular system and skin.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition where the digestive system suffers from chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps and bloating, constipation and gas. About 20% of the American population suffers from IBS, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Foods which can trigger IBS symptoms may include vegetables like bell pepper. People with IBS, however, have different foods affecting their body. If you feel that consuming bell peppers causes diarrhea then avoid them entirely and consult your doctor.
If your diarrhea lasts more than 3 days then call your doctor. If you notice blood in your stool then also you should seek medical help as soon as possible. This can be a slightly more serious condition. Since diarrhea is a symptom and not a condition the doctor may do a few tests to diagnose the reason for diarrhea and what is causing it.
