There are moments when I suddenly feel the urge to run to the bathroom, and I get extremely embarrassed. When I experience signals of severe stomach pain that are hard to endure, it becomes even more awkward in important situations. For people with sensitive intestines, these situations can be even more frightening. Let's find out which foods trigger immediate trips to the bathroom.

 

 

Coffee contains a compound called chlorogenic acid, a type of polyphenol. This compound stimulates gastric acid secretion, speeding up the digestion process. When food quickly moves to the intestines, it triggers the urge to defecate.

The Korean Society for Obesity also states that drinking coffee after a meal can stimulate metabolism and aid digestion. Although it helps with digestion, drinking it excessively and frequently can hinder proper digestion of food and put a burden on the stomach. Caffeine and fatty acids in coffee can irritate the stomach and cause inflammation. When the intestines are weakened, it is advisable to avoid excessive coffee consumption.

Alcohol

 

If you drink a lot of alcohol the night before, you may suffer from frequent bowel movements beyond just an upset stomach. When alcohol is absorbed into the body through drinking, it irritates the mucosal villi of the intestinal lining. The intestinal mucosal villi absorb nutrients and moisture from food in the intestines. When this function weakens, stool becomes more watery. Alcohol also inhibits the secretion of digestive fluids such as bile, making it difficult for food to be properly digested, which also negatively affects bowel movements.

 

In particular, high-proof alcohol can more strongly stimulate the mucosal villi of the intestines, promoting diarrhea. Fermented drinks such as beer or makgeolli have higher sugar content than regular alcohol, which can promote bowel movements and cause loose stools. If you must drink alcohol, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to dilute the alcohol in the body as much as possible. Be cautious with greasy snacks like fried chicken or pizza, as they can further irritate the intestines.

 

Foods rich in dietary fiber

 

Vegetables and fruits are high in dietary fiber and water content, and contain many vitamins. Even if they are good for the body, foods high in dietary fiber can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in people with weak intestines. Dietary fiber is a non-digestible polymer that is not broken down in the body and is excreted as is. When it reaches the intestines, it stimulates colonic movement, shortens the time it takes for stool to pass through the colon, and increases bowel movements.

 

For this reason, dietary fiber is known to be effective for constipation, but for people with sensitive intestines such as those with irritable bowel syndrome, excessive intake can actually lead to more frequent trips to the bathroom. For example, consuming too many prunes (dried plums) can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain. Prunes contain about 7g of dietary fiber per 100g, which is approximately three times that of apples. An appropriate amount of prunes can soften stool and increase its volume, thereby improving constipation. However, it is necessary to monitor the reaction and adjust the intake accordingly, consuming 1 to 3 pieces per day. Concentrated prune juice should be consumed with caution, such as avoiding intake before going out.

⟨3-line summary⟩

Chlorogenic acid in coffee stimulates gastric acid secretion, so excessive intake should be avoided in individuals with weak intestines.

Alcohol in liquor irritates the intestinal mucosal villi, causing stool to become loose and leading to diarrhea.

Dietary fiber helps improve constipation, but people with sensitive intestines should be cautious of abdominal pain and diarrhea.

 

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If you are a person with a sensitive stomach

Isn't it right when you suddenly get a strong signal to go to the bathroom?

These people cause direct trips to the bathroom.

You should always be careful with food.