The cruciferous vegetable broccoli can trigger stomach pain in some people -- particularly those with bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. However, even if you don't suffer from these conditions broccoli might make you feel gassy and painfully bloated. If you regularly experience stomach pain after eating broccoli it may be a sign of a related digestive disorder. Speak with your doctor to get a medical opinion.
Broccoli and Fiber
Broccoli contains high levels of fiber. While doctors recommend eating a diet high in fiber, people with sensitive bowels may find that very high fiber foods irritate their digestive system. Broccoli offers some of the highest fiber content of any fruit or vegetable. For example, 100 g of boiled broccoli contains 3.3 g of fiber, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. As a comparison, 100 g of banana -- another high-fiber food -- contains only 2.6 g of fiber.
Raffinose
Broccoli contains the complex sugar known as raffinose. This carbohydrate, also found in beans, causes gas. While most people pass gas without any real discomfort, in some cases it causes an unpleasant bloated feeling. This can trigger pain in the abdomen. The pain may be so sharp that it's confused with either heart problems or appendicitis. Usually, this pain passes when the gas moves through the large intestine and out of the body.
IBS and Crohn's Disease
People with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease often react badly to certain foods. Fiber-rich, gas-forming vegetables such as broccoli may trigger symptoms in either case. With IBS, muscles in the small and large intestine may spasm. This can cause sharp pain in the stomach area and lead to other symptoms such as diarrhea or cramps. Crohn's disease involves a reaction in the lining of the intestine to certain foods. The inflammation leads to abdominal pain. Broccoli may play a role in these symptoms, though different people react to different types of food.
Considerations
Cutting out broccoli altogether from your diet means missing out on a rich source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Try chopping your broccoli into smaller pieces before boiling, or avoiding raw or undercooked broccoli to put less strain on your gut when eating and help make digestion smoother. You may have to experiment a little with your own diet to find what works for you. When it comes to digestive problems, what works for one person doesn't always work for the next.
