Chocolate does not cause constipation in most healthy adults, but it can be a factor if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a condition affecting about 20 percent of the adult U.S. population, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Most people develop symptoms around the age of 35. Symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, can cause further complications if not treated. Stop eating chocolate, if it causes constipation, and call your doctor.
IBS
IBS is a disorder that causes abdominal pain, constipation, bloating and cramping after eating certain foods. IBS is still not fully understood, but it is known that the large intestine or the colon does not respond correctly to the nerves in the gastric muscles. As waste enters your colon, muscles that line your intestines contract and relax, to push the waste down towards your anus. If the muscles do not contract enough, you will become constipated. IBS is not caused by a defective digestive system and does not cause any damage to the gastrointestinal system.
Reactions to Chocolate
Chocolate is a common food that can trigger symptoms. If you have IBS, you will develop either chronic constipation or diarrhea. Chronic constipation can cause severe abdominal pain, rectal pain, unexplained weight loss and difficulty passing stool. It is unclear why chocolate can trigger constipation in people with IBS, although it may be related to the milk content. Your doctor may recommend an elimination diet to challenge the connection between eating chocolate and constipation.
Elimination Diet
An elimination diet is implemented to identify if a certain food is causing adverse reactions, but it is not intended to diagnose a medical condition. In such a diet, you would remove all chocolate -- including chocolate bars, chocolate milk, brownies and mocha lattes -- from your diet for 2 weeks. During this time, keep a food log of how your digestive system reacts to the absence of chocolate. After 2 weeks, eat chocolate and record how the consumption of chocolate affects your bowels.
Constipation Treatment
Constipation from IBS is treated with an increased-fiber diet, avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms, reducing stress and implementing an exercise routine. You can use fiber supplements to increase your daily intake, but eating fiber-rich foods is the most effective way to treat constipation. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Slowly increase your fiber intake, or you may develop excessive bloating and gas.
