Almonds are a common tree nut used in baked goods, salads and desserts. If eating almonds causes diarrhea, make an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation. Diarrhea that develops after eating almonds may be related to different gastrointestinal conditions, such as food intolerance, food allergies or food poisoning. Stop eating almonds until you can be seen by your doctor. Eating almonds with certain conditions can cause complications.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerance is a common cause of diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, cramping and gas. Food intolerances are adverse reactions that occur in the digestive system when you eat certain foods. If your small intestines fail to create the enzymes needed to digest the proteins in almonds, you can develop inflammation in your digestive system, leading to diarrhea. Almonds contain salicylates, a naturally occurring chemical that is related to aspirin. If you have a known aspirin intolerance, avoid eating almonds and other foods that contain salicylates.
Food Allergy
Tree nut allergies are one of the most common food allergies. Unlike food intolerances, a tree nut allergy is not caused by a digestive complication but by a malfunction of the immune system. If you're allergic to almonds, your immune system treats the proteins in almonds as if they are infectious organisms. The body attacks the proteins, which leads to the release of different chemicals throughout the body. These chemicals cause inflammation in your digestive system, leading to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and other symptoms.
Food Poisoning
It's possible that you have food poisoning, or food-borne illness. If the almonds are contaminated with an infectious organism, such as a parasite, toxin or bacteria, your digestive system will be affected with in four hours or up to 36 hours after consuming the nut. Food poisoning symptoms typically form quickly, causing excessive diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, body chills and fever. If you notice blood in your vomit or diarrhea, think you may be dehydrated or develop a temperature over 101.5 Fahrenheit, call your doctor, according to MayoClinic.com.
Consideration
Diarrhea is not a condition, but rather a symptom of a condition. If you have chronic diarrhea, talk with a gastroenterologist for testing. You may have a more serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Diarrhea commonly causes dehydration, which could lead to death if not treated. If you feel lightheaded, you develop dry skin and become extremely thirsty, call your doctor immediately.
