Why Eating Spicy Food Can Give You Diarrhea

Indulging in Mexican, Indian, or Cajun cuisine at a restaurant or takeout may be enjoyable, but it’s no fun when spicy food has you running to the bathroom with diarrhea a few hours later.

This article will cover how to settle your stomach after eating spicy food. 

How Spicy Foods Cause Diarrhea

You might assume that having diarrhea after eating something spicy means there’s something wrong with your digestive tract. However, this reaction to spicy foods is actually completely normal. 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 tissues—including the lining of your gut. When you eat hot peppers or salsa, capsaicin is what causes the burning sensation and the symptoms.

Digestion is a very well-organized process that starts with the first bite of food and finishes when we have a bowel movement. 

When we eat capsaicin, it actually stimulates the vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1 or the capsaicin receptor) which tells our brains that we are burning from the inside.

Our brain tries to understand what's going on in the body and will release pain blockers known as endorphins. Endorphins are also the “feel good” hormones in the body, so that’s why you may feel happy when you’re eating spicy food, and may find yourself reaching for more and more wings.

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 the vanilloid receptor 1 receptors in your GI tract. So, instead of slowing things down, the colon speeds the process up to get rid of the "threat" it senses. The result? You get diarrhea. Sometimes, people even feel like their butt is on fire, thanks to the many pain receptors in the anus.

While eating spicy food can be uncomfortable in the short term, researchers actually don’t know if there are any long-term risks of the burning effects of capsaicin.

When to See a Provider

Diarrhea triggered by hot or spicy food usually clears up in a day or two, and you probably won't need to see a healthcare provider about it. 

In most cases, taking it easy on your gut and eating non-spicy foods for a few days will get you through occasional diarrhea. It's also important to drink plenty of water so you stay hydrated and avoid caffeinated beverages which could make diarrhea worse.

However, if your symptoms do not get better in a day or two or they get worse, and you have signs of dehydration (like dry mouth, urinating less, and headaches), you should get medical attention. 

Can Diarrhea From Spicy Food Be Prevented?

The only surefire way to prevent diarrhea from spicy food is to figure out what your trigger foods are and avoid eating them.

If you can't resist and want to at least ease the burn of spicy food going down, you've probably heard that eating something sweet or drinking a glass of milk can help. In fact, the latter might actually work. Dairy contains a protein called casein that helps break down capsaicin. It won't stop you from getting diarrhea, but a sip of milk can relieve the burning sensation in your mouth.

Another tip: If you’re sure you’ll end up with diarrhea after enjoying an extra spicy meal, keep some hypoallergenic wipes handy to help ease the discomfort in the bathroom. 

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, there's nothing wrong with your digestive system. It's just your body's way of protecting itself from potential harm.

You can take steps to prevent diarrhea by recognizing your trigger foods and avoiding them. And if you just can't pass up spicy wings at the big game, at least you'll be prepared for the aftereffects.