Other Causes of Stomach Pain from Garlic
Garlic contains fructans, which are a type of fiber that can be difficult for some people to digest, particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to Monash University. In these individuals, when fructans are digested in the gut, they can produce gas, bloating, pain, and other IBS symptoms.
However, IBS can affect everyone differently, so while garlic can be a trigger for some people, individuals’ tolerance can vary.
Other reasons you might get sick from garlic include an intolerance or allergy. Garlic is an uncommon food allergy, notes Cleveland Clinic, but can occur if your immune system mistakenly detects garlic as harmful. This can cause symptoms like difficulty breathing or a skin rash. Garlic intolerance is more common and originates in the digestive system. Symptoms can include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
If you have a garlic allergy, you’ll need to avoid it entirely. If you come in contact with it accidentally, antihistamines can reduce symptoms, and emergency epinephrine may be needed to prevent anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening reaction.
Doing your best to avoid garlic will also help prevent unpleasant GI symptoms if you have a garlic intolerance.
Talk to your doctor if you take these steps and still experience unexplained digestive symptoms like frequent diarrhea, gas, and bloating so they can help you figure out the cause and appropriate treatment.
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