Diarrhea can make you lose large amounts of water and puts your at risk of suffering from dehydration. If you experience diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids and replenish your electrolytes. Some foods, such as apple juice, can trigger diarrhea, especially if you have malabsorption or intolerances. However, in some cases, diarrhea is the result of food poisoning, an infection or some potentially serious medical conditions. If your diarrhea does not resolve within a few days, consult a health care professional.
Apples and Apple Juice
Apples have a high ratio of fructose to glucose when compared to most other fruits; they also contain sorbitol. The high fructose and sorbitol content of apples is also found in apple juice. If you drink a lot of apple juice, you could consume a considerable amount of fructose and sorbitol, which belong to the category of short-chain fermentable carbohydrates. An excess intake of both fructose and sorbitol can trigger diarrhea as well as bloating, flatulence, pain and cramping if you are sensitive to these compounds.
Fructose and Sorbitol
People with fructose or sorbitol malabsorption experience diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms when eating apples or apple juice. For some people, just a few bites or sips of juice is enough, but if you are not too sensitive, you may be able to tolerate small amounts. However, drinking a lot of apple juice can definitely trigger your diarrhea. Ask your doctor to test for fructose and sorbitol malabsorption. By having the diagnosis, you will know whether fructose, sorbitol or both are causing your diarrhea and you will be able to eliminate other trigger foods from your diet to prevent diarrhea.
Other Problematic Fruits
If fructose is a problem for you, apples, pears, mangoes, watermelon, fruit juices and dried fruits could also induce the same gastrointestinal symptoms that you get when drinking a lot of apple juice. Sorbitol is present in blackberries, nectarines, pears, plums, avocado and cherries. Eliminate these foods for a few days to see if your diarrhea resolves. If you suspect fructose or sorbitol malabsorption, consult a registered dietitian with experience working in this field to help you design a diet that is suitable for you.
Safer Fruits
Avoid fruit juices because they provide a lot of short-chain fermentable carbohydrates. Stick to whole fruits that have a low-fructose and low-sorbitol content. For example, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, kiwifruits, oranges and grapefruit are safe options and shouldn't cause you any gastrointestinal problems.
References
- "Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology"; Evidence-Based Dietary Management of Functional Gastrointestinal Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach; Peter R Gibson and Susan J Shepherd; 2010
- Shepherd Works: Fructose Malabsorption
- "The Low FODMAP Diet - Reducing Poorly Absorbed Sugars to Control Gastrointestinal Symptoms"; Eastern Health Clinical School - Monash University; 2010
Member Comments