If you're getting pain in your stomach regularly when you eat chocolate it is important to notice any other symptoms. If the only symptom that you have is a stomach ache, you may be experiencing common indigestion. Other conditions that can cause your stomach to hurt are a food allergy, irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance. These conditions will all cause other symptoms aside from just stomach pain. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Food Allergy
Stomach pain from a food allergy is the result of inflammation and swelling in your digestive tract due to an exaggerated immune system reaction. Food allergies cause the body to create certain chemicals to fight off the allergen. Histamine, antibodies and other chemicals are released into your soft tissue, leading to common allergy symptoms. Aside from stomach pain you may also experience, nasal congestion, asthma, skin rashes, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Even if you're not allergic to chocolate you may be allergic to some of the ingredients, such as tree nuts, peanuts, milk and soy.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Eating chocolate can trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, according to MayoClinic.com. The two most common triggers for IBS are certain foods and stress. If you've been diagnosed with IBS, avoid eating chocolate. IBS is a general condition that results in stomach pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements. Some people experience chronic diarrhea, while others develop chronic constipation. The condition is not related to a digestive defect but is suspected to be caused by miscommunication between the nerves in the colon and the brain.
Lactose Intolerance
Most chocolate products contain lactose. Lactose intolerance affects about 30 million Americans, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. If you're lactose intolerant you will develop stomach pain between 30 minutes and two hours after eating chocolate that contains lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk that causes problems when your intestines don't produce enough lactase, an enzyme that digests lactose. Other symptoms associated with this condition include gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and cramping.
Treatment
Avoidance is the most effective treatment for all three conditions. If eating chocolate causes your stomach to hurt and other gastric symptoms, stop eating it. If the stomach pain is associated with lactose intolerance you can still eat chocolate by taking a lactase supplement. The supplement will replace the enzyme in your digestive system, preventing any symptoms from developing.
