Nutritional Causes of Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms are painful involuntary contractions of a muscle 1. They arise with a variety of disorders. Muscle spasms occur either regularly or on a sporadic basis. This disorder is closely linked to nutritional causes. They occur more frequently when people eat certain foods that sap needed minerals from the body.

Change Diet

Muscle spasms and cramping often occur with irritable bowel syndrome 2. Modifying the diet will help lessen the symptoms of this disorder.

Avoid Spicy Foods

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Spicy foods, such as chili, tacos and salsa, will also often cause:

• the muscle spasms associated with irritable bowel syndrome
  
• notes Kids Health [2](https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/ibs.html 'inline-reference::Kids Health: Foods
  
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome')

Partaking in too much spicy, fatty fast food will increase risk of muscle spasm and damage overall health.

Avoid Licorice

Weak levels of potassium in the body often will contribute to the occurrence of muscle spasms.

Avoid Diuretic Foods

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Many foods have a diuretic impact on the body. Taken in excess, certain foods can cause dehydration and subsequent muscle spasms.

Eat Food in Moderation

Eating food in moderation will help to prevent muscles spasms associated with irritable bowel syndrome 2. Regularly eat smaller meals to ensure that muscle spasms do not start due to an overload of food moving throughout the digestive system.

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol is one cause of muscle spasms 1. If alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer are consumed in high levels that lead to alcoholism, the incidence of muscle spasms will increase, notes MedlinePlus 1.