Chocolate is made from various ingredients that can trigger reactions in your digestive system, such as heartburn and nausea. Digestive issues that result from eating chocolate are most likely related to the ingredients used to make chocolate. If you have a known food allergy or lactose intolerance, or if you've been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, you may develop indigestion after eating certain chocolate products. If you continue to experience consistent indigestion, you should avoid eating all chocolate products until you can be evaluated by your doctor. Eating chocolate with a digestive condition could lead to further complications.
Food Allergy
If you have a known food allergy, it is likely that chocolate may contain the allergen. Most chocolate products contain five of the top seven highly allergic foods, including milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts and soy. Common food allergens are required by law to be disclosed on the chocolate products label. A food allergy is caused by a hypersensitivity to certain proteins found in the food, causing inflammation in the digestive tract. The inflammation in the lining of the intestines can cause heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, cramping and nausea.
Lactose Intolerance
Most chocolate products contain dairy and lactose. Lactose is the sugar found in milk. If you're lactose intolerant, you cannot properly digest lactose, leading to digestive complications. Lactose intolerance is a common digestive condition that mainly affects adults. The condition is caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. If you don't create this enzyme in your intestines, the lactose remains in your gut until it reaches the colon. In the colon, bacteria attack the sugar, resulting in bloating, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea and cramping.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chocolate is a common food that triggers irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. IBS is a digestive disorder that is still a mystery to the medical field. Most physicians believe that the condition is the result of a breakdown in the communication between the brain and the muscles in the colon, notes MayoClinic.com. Stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, gas, cramping, constipation and diarrhea are common symptoms that can develop from eating chocolate if you have IBS. Although IBS symptoms may cause severe pain and discomfort, this disorder does not damage your gastrointestinal system.
Consideration
If you develop heartburn and nausea after an isolated instance of eating chocolate, you may be experiencing a random episode of indigestion. Taking an over-the-counter antacid may reduce your symptoms. Call your doctor if you develop consistent indigestion or if your symptoms progress into severe abdominal pain.
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