Spicy Foods
“The notion that spicy foods can irritate your stomach lining depends on whether you’re used to eating these foods,” says Dr. Chutkan. So, if you don’t usually indulge in spicy foods, eating them on an empty stomach can trigger GI distress.
Here’s why: “Most spicy foods have a chemical called capsaicin, [which] binds to receptors in your gastrointestinal tract,” explains gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Schopis. This makes your body think something harmful has entered your GI tract, causing it to increase mucus production and speed up digestion to remove the substance. This can trigger excessive digestive moments, along with an “upset stomach, loose stools, urgency, and diarrhea,” adds Schopis.
If this sounds familiar, add spicy foods to your diet slowly. In the meantime, avoid eating them on an empty stomach, or until your GI tract gets used to the heat.