Gastroenteritis is an infection of the lining of the small intestines that is commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection. If you've been diagnosed with gastroenteritis, it is advisable to avoid the consumption of chocolate because it may aggravate your digestive system. If you suspect that eating chocolate was the cause of gastroenteritis, you may have food poisoning, a food allergy or irritable bowel syndrome. Talk with your doctor or gastroenterologist for a proper assessment and diagnosis.
Chocolate Consumption Consideration
Chocolates are commonly high in fat and made with dairy, egg, butter and nuts. These factors make chocolate a poor choice to consume when you have gastroenteritis. Avoiding such foods can help calm the stomach and restore normal bowel movements. During and after a bout of gastroenteritis, the digestive system needs to heal from damage the infection caused. Eating anything, such as chocolate, that can place strain on the digestive system can prolong the healing process.
Food Poisoning
A common cause of gastroenteritis is food poisoning, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you've eating chocolate that has been contaminated with a toxin, virus, parasite or bacteria, you will develop food poisoning. Food poisoning causes infection to develop throughout the lining of your digestive system, producing vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain and a slight fever. Most symptoms from food poisoning last for one to 10 days. There is no cure for food poisoning aside from a changed diet and rest.
Food Allergy
If you develop gastroenteritis symptoms every time you eat chocolates, you may have a food allergy. Possible allergens that are commonly used in chocolates include cocoa, milk, wheat, soy, nuts, eggs and peanuts. A food allergy is caused by an overreaction of the immune system that produces increased amounts of histamine in the lining of the intestines. This leads to swelling and inflammation throughout the digestive system. If you have a food allergy, you will develop gastroenteritis symptoms within minutes of consuming the chocolate. You will also develop other symptoms, such as rashes, shortness of breath, swelling in the face and sinus complications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Chocolates, along with other foods, can commonly trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. If you have not been diagnosed with IBS and you notice that when you eat chocolate you develop chronic diarrhea, you may have a minor case of IBS. IBS does not cause any damage to your digestive system, but symptoms from the condition can be debilitating.
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