When you struggle with stomach pain, you usually experience symptoms like soreness, bloating, and digestive problems which is often linked to diet. Gut health experts often maintain that certain foods, while generally safe, may lead to discomfort in some people.
Recently, Mr Gut Health took to TikTok to advise those suffering from bloating, stomach pain, or diarrhoea about foods they might want to avoid as they could make these problems worse.
Here are 5 common foods that may be responsible for stomach issues:
- Protein bars: Commonly seen as a nutritious snack for after exercise, the specialist has warned that protein bars might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with sensitive stomachs, reports the Express US. He also claimed that these bars are often loaded with ‘sugar alcohols’, which ferment in the gut. Some of these substances act as laxatives and are more challenging to digest than regular sugars, making them potentially problematic.
- Chewing gum: The expert highlighted that chewing gum can contribute to bloating in two significant ways. He explained: “Firstly, you tend to swallow a lot of air when you chew. Secondly, sugar-free gums contain those pesky sugar alcohols. Same goes for sugar-free mints.”
- Smoothies: Smoothies are packed with ‘highly fermentable’ fruits like pears, apples, and mangoes. Mixing these fruits can lead to an excess of FODMAPs, carbohydrates that some individuals struggle to digest.
- Garlic and onion: The gut health expert maintained that these two are ‘super high’ in fructans, another type of FODMAP notorious for causing bloating.
- Honey and agave syrup: The expert warns that these are very high in fructose. He noted: “Around one in three people with IBS have fructose intolerance.” For a low-fructose, bloat-friendly alternative, he recommended trying maple syrup.