Blueberries are a pleasant and nutritious fruit that can be eaten by themselves or added to cereal or yogurt. But, after consuming them, some people may experience digestive problems, such as diarrhea. So, can blueberries cause diarrhea or not?
Blueberries – An Overview
Blueberries come from the Vaccinium angustifolium shrub and are edible fruits. In addition to being a common meal, blueberries can occasionally be used as medication.
The high fiber content of blueberries may aid in regular digestion. They also include compounds that may lower swelling and kill cancer cells, as well as vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Although there is no solid scientific evidence to back these claims, people utilize blueberries for a variety of illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure, memory and cognitive abilities, aging, and athletic performance.
Also, remember, blueberries and bilberries are not the same thing. Despite their similarities, they are not the same. The plant often known as bilberry in the United States is referred to as blueberry in non-US countries.
Let’s delve into the question can blueberries cause diarrhea. Here are some possible causes of diarrhea caused by blueberries, along with solutions.
The Fiber Content of Blueberries Is High
An important nutrient, fiber promotes healthy digestion, lowers the risk of constipation, helps you maintain a healthy weight, and lowers your risk of heart disease and diabetes. A cup of blueberries has almost 3.5 grams of fiber, making them a high-fiber fruit.
However, if you’re not used to receiving enough amounts of the nutrient, such as when you overindulge in blueberries, consuming too much fiber at once or adding too much fiber to your diet too rapidly might cause intestinal distress.
Blueberries That Are Contaminated May Cause Food Poisoning
A common cause of food poisoning is produce. Salmonella and other bacteria can infect raw fruits, like blueberries, at any stage of their development and preparation. Your own home may potentially become contaminated, particularly if the product isn’t cleaned or stored correctly.
And it’s possible that eating blueberries causes diarrhea because of these pathogenic germs. It is true that loose stools, vomiting, cramping in the stomach, and a low-grade fever can all be symptoms of food poisoning.
You May Have a Blueberry Allergy
When your immune system overreacts to specific proteins in your diet, it might result in food allergies and other allergic symptoms. Your immune system is essentially mistaking a particular food for something dangerous.
Furthermore, since loose stools can be a sign of an allergic reaction, blueberries may produce diarrhea due to a food allergy. Other typical signs and symptoms include:
- Throwing up
- Hives or a skin rash
- Itchy skin, throat, or mouth
- Swelling
- Breathing difficulties
You Are Allergic To Fructose
Fructose, a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits, vegetables, juices, table sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and honey, is intolerable to certain people. This indicates that the sugar cannot be properly absorbed or metabolized, leading to symptoms like:
- Having diarrhea
- upset stomach gas
Despite having a low sugar content, blueberries may cause symptoms if consumed in excess.
Consult your physician for a possible diagnosis if you think you may have a fructose intolerance. Eat fewer foods that contain fructose if you have been diagnosed with an intolerance. Finding out how much you can handle could require some trial and error.
You Might Be Sensitive To Salicylate
Blueberries and other fruits and vegetables naturally contain the chemical salicylate. It has a chemical composition that is quite similar to aspirin and aids in protecting the plant throughout growth.
Therefore, you are more prone to respond to the salicylate in blueberries and other products if you are aspirin sensitive. And according to Ashley Kravitz, RD, owner of Nutrition Specialists of New Jersey, this kind of sensitivity may be the source of diarrhea caused by blueberries.
Other signs of a salicylate sensitivity or intolerance, in addition to diarrhea, include:
- A headache
- Congestion of the nose
- Itching, hives, or a skin rash
- Eye inflammation, wetness, or itching
- Pain in the stomach
Conclusion
Can blueberries cause diarrhea? Salicylates, which are present in blueberries, cause sensitivity in different persons. As a result, although some people can occasionally have a bit of blueberries, others experience allergic reactions when they consume even a small amount of them.
After eating a somewhat significant amount of blueberries, people with mild blueberry allergies may have mild rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomachaches.
The cause of stomachaches is the body’s incapacity to break down blueberries. Diarrhea or vomiting are symptoms of the body’s immune system rejecting blueberries as a nutritious food.
