Avocados are supposedly one of the world’s healthiest foods, associated with everything from lowering belly fat to boosting libido to improving maternal nutrition. According to the Hass Avocado Board, retail sales have consistently climbed since 2000, and Americans load their shopping carts with $1.6 billion worth of avocados every year.
But did you know that some people can’t eat avocados because of food allergies? These folks can develop stomach aches from just eating avocados. And while a stomach ache may seem like a minor thing, it can make eating avocados in general painful. There is also such a thing as consuming too much fiber, which may lead to gas.
Do you have a sensitive stomach? Individuals who react negatively to too much fiber may experience stomach pain or abdominal pain. This is called fiber intolerance. Stomach pain is the hallmark sign. Consult with your physician if you experience consistent stomach pain after eating any kind of food. Food intolerance is a true condition. If you think you have food intolerance, ask your doctor. He should be able to provide you with options to manage your food intolerance. Allergic reactions on the other hand, can be mistaken for a simple upset stomach.
If you get an upset stomach frequently, you may have an avocado allergy. A sudden bout of upset stomach can signal an immune response or allergic reaction. Furthermore, an upset stomach can translate to other symptoms that can make eating problematic. Never ignore an upset stomach, as you can get very sick from it. It’s the same for people with lactose intolerance but continue to consume milk and dairy products. The digest system can only take so much. Take care of your digestive system, and it will take care of you. Food intolerances affect a small percentage of the entire population, but the remedies exist.
What is Latex Fruit Syndrom?
Sadly, some individuals have been diagnosed with “latex fruit syndrome.” 30% to 50% of people allergic to natural rubber latex are also hypersensitive to avocados. In addition, 30 to 50 percent of people allergic to natural rubber latex also have a hypersensitivity to specific plant-based foods, such as bananas, kiwis, bell peppers, and, you guessed it, avocados. This also pushes people to ask – can avocado cause bloat?
Hypersensitivities vs. FODMAP Intolerances
The difference between hypersensitivities and FODMAP intolerances is that hypersensitivities do not involve the fermentation process in the stomach. Still, they induce gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. Some would argue that I do not have an allergy but rather an intolerance or sensitivity.
Nevertheless, we cannot deny that avocados are nutritional powerhouses:
Dietary Fiber
The helpful fiber in avocado promotes good digestion. As fiber moves through the digestive tract, it does not convert into energy but instead absorbs water to soften and release feces—this aids in preventing constipation. A high-fiber diet also reduces the incidence of diverticular disease, characterized by diverticula formation in the colon. A cup of sliced avocado has 4.9 grams of fiber, 13 and 19 percent of the daily fiber requirements for men and women, respectively.
Vitamin C
Avocados include vitamin C, which benefits intestinal health. Your digestive tract includes collagen, a protein that creates tissue-strengthening fibrils. Collagen fibers surround the intestinal walls, and vitamin C in your diet helps you manufacture enough collagen to preserve tissue strength.
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, a diet high in vitamin C gives additional digestive advantages, including a reduced risk of stomach cancer. A cup of sliced avocado contains 7.3 milligrams of vitamin C, equivalent to 8% of men’s and 10% of women’s daily vitamin C requirements.
B-Complex Vitamins
Add avocado to your diet to enhance your B-complex vitamin consumption. These nutrients promote proper digestion because they assist cells in obtaining fuel from meals. Vitamin B-6, for instance, facilitates protein metabolism, whereas pantothenic acid transforms carbs, fat, and protein into energy.
B-Vitamin Content of Avocados
A cup of sliced avocado includes 1.01 milligrams of pantothenic acid and 188 micrograms of vitamin B-6 — 20 and 14 percent, respectively, of the recommended daily intakes for pantothenic acid and vitamin B-6. Additionally, avocado contains lower levels of the B-complex vitamins niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin.
Is Avocado Good for Stomachache
Avocados can help ease stomachache in some situations. For example, its fiber content may help soften stool, which leads to an easier time when you’re on the toilet.
It may surprise you that gastrointestinal disorders, such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps, affect women up to six times more frequently than males. So avoid stomach discomfort by avoiding meals that produce these undesirable responses. And occasionally, when symptoms flare up, start seeking components that are beneficial to the body.
From the digestive-healing properties of oat bran to the calming warmth of cinnamon, these foods will provide the relief you need and require the most.
Avocados, which are exceptionally rich in potassium, fiber, and stomach- and heart-healthy oils, help keep things going. Also, try a couple of thin slices in place of mayonnaise on a sandwich. Likely, you are not consuming enough dietary fiber and, as a result, are not getting the numerous advantages of fiber.
Why Is This Important To Your Overall Wellness?
Dietary fiber is a carbohydrate and an essential component of every diet. Dietary fiber is included on the nutrition information label of packaged foods. It may also be referred to as soluble or insoluble fiber.
Both forms of dietary fiber are beneficial to health. For example, avocados include 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving (one-third of a medium avocado). Therefore, if you consume one avocado serving at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, your daily fiber intake will increase by 9 grams.
Avocados contain soluble as well as insoluble fiber. Healthy fiber-rich snacks, such as avocados, are suitable for weight control because they help you feel full on fewer calories, leaving you satiated between meals.
Can Avocado Make Your Stomach Hurt?
Yes, avocados can cause stomach pain if you have an intolerance.
Can I eat avocado with gastritis?
Hypersensitivities are challenging due to their hybrid nature. However, the symptoms of basic intolerances and allergies are sufficiently distinct that it should be possible to distinguish between them. For example, an intolerance might cause delayed digestive issues (cramps, diarrhea, cramping, etc.). Still, an allergic response causes more acute symptoms such as redness, rashes, and puffiness of the lips and tongue.
Allergy is quite distinct from intolerance.
An allergy activates the immune system. Digestive intolerances are unrelated to this. However, suppose you have persistent bloating or diarrhea after eating. In that case, it might indicate a more severe condition, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, especially if your symptoms remain after reducing your avocado consumption.
The good news for avocado enthusiasts is that it is safe to consume daily. In addition, unlike other fats, which might have the opposite effect, it is a source of heart- and cholesterol-healthy fat. As a result, most individuals may consume significant quantities of avocados without experiencing unwanted consequences.
Is Avocado Hard to Digest?
Avocado is a superfood rich in fiber and important minerals such as potassium, promoting good digestive function. In addition, low-fructose foods are less likely to induce flatulence. Be mindful of portion amounts while consuming foods such as almonds and avocados. Although they are nutrient-dense, they are also heavy in fat, so consume them sparingly.
Due to their high-fat content, these fruits are also heavy in calories. Hence it is generally advised to consume them in moderation unless you attempt to gain weight. In addition, too much avocado might produce unpleasant digestive issues in some individuals. This is because avocados contain the sugar alcohol sorbitol. While sorbitol is not inherently harmful, its poor absorption might cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating in specific individuals. Due to these factors, it may be prudent to restrict avocado consumption to 1/2 avocado each sitting or one avocado per day.
Unsurprisingly, avocado oil is another oil that may be substituted for less-healthy oils whether cooking, baking, or creating salad dressings. Like olive oil, virgin avocado oil may be used for various applications and is stable even when cooked at high temperatures.
Combine avocado with other nutritious foods to create meals that promote healthy digestion. For example, for a simple meal high in fiber, vitamin C, and B-complex vitamins, mix avocado with other vegetables, such as kale and sliced red bell pepper, and grilled turkey breast in a tortilla wrap made from 100 percent whole grains. Add avocado pieces to leafy green salads and a handful of almonds for texture and fiber. Alternately, mash avocado and mix it with salsa and lime juice to create a fast dip similar to guacamole that combines nicely with whole-grain crackers and chopped vegetables.
