Can peanuts upset your stomach?

Have you ever eaten peanuts and felt like your stomach was going to stage a rebellion? Does the mere sight of peanut butter make you cringe in fear? Fear not, my fellow nut-averse friends. In this article, we will explore why peanuts can cause tummy troubles and what you can do to combat them.

What are Peanuts?

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of peanut-related stomach issues, let’s take a moment to appreciate these legumes (yes, peanuts are not nuts at all!). Native to South America, peanuts have been around for centuries and were an important part of many Indigenous diets until the colonizers took over. They come in different shapes and sizes ranging from rounder runner varieties to smaller Virginia ones that consistently take up space on every road trip menu across America.

Peanuts may be pint-sized but their versatility knows no bounds; they’re used as ingredients for everything from candy bars (Snickers, anyone?) to satay sauce for your Indonesian dishes. Even elephants love munching on them!

Why Do Peanuts Upset Some People’s Stomachs?

Although deliciously crunchy or creamy depending how you eat them – plain roasted, salted with shell or out-of-shell (shivers) – peanuts aren’t always friendly towards one’s digestive system causing bloating when consumed excessively; I mean who doesn’t want another serving of boiled peanuts while watching NASCAR races right?! But some folks experience severe gastrointestinal symptoms after eating even small amounts which could signal peanut allergies.

Apart from allergens though is allergy-ish reaction caused by too much histamine! Amines such as histamine are present in certain foods naturally including fermented products like aged cheese & cured meats. Eating large quantities of high-histamine foods causes histamines release thus leading allergic-like signs: runny/stuffy nose itchy/watery eyes, sneezing & possible diarrhea. Somehow peanuts have a high concentration of histamine that could upset those with sensitive stomachs sorry folks.

Another major issue comes from lectins. These natural proteins are found in many kinds of vegetables & grains including seeds (of which peanut is officially classified as) but also in legumes like beans,…you guessed it, PEANUTS! Lectins act as ‘natural insecticide’ to protect plants from pests & other dangers such as being consumed by humans – scary right?! In regards to digestion, Lectin’s job when entering our bodies isn’t complete yet… nope, this protein actively resists absorption and promotes inflammatory response sometimes manifesting into irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or worse!

Symptoms That Could Indicate Peanut Upset

Even though most people wouldn’t notice any issues with eating moderate amounts of peanuts/intake, others experience various gastrointestinal symptoms upon consuming them:

  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Stomach pain/cramping

These gastro-intestinal troubles may indicate either an intolerance or allergy-like reaction which makes the protein intolerant along with every meal insecurity at social events where food will be served (damn you canapés!).

What’s The Deal With Peanut Allergies?

If you’ve ever known someone who suffers from a peanut allergy -perhaps yourself-, then you know how serious the reactions caused by their intake can be leaving them susceptible to going into shock and even death so better safe than sorry!. They’re not alone: there’s been an increase in instances/prevalence allergic sensitization towards peanuts over recent years among children specifically–something hypothesized due largely because kiddos aren’t exposed enough during development ages 0–5yrs.

The most common allergens were previously milk products followed closely by eggs then soy sauce; nowadays… we’re in a peanut-tainted world -don’t sue me, blame Snickers bars & lunch box munchies-!

The immune system of people with this allergy mistakes the proteins found in peanuts – such as “Ara h1” & Arah 2 – for something harmful thus releasing histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream initiating allergic reactions. These reactions can manifest through any or all of these symptoms:

  • Swelling (including tongue/lips/throat)
  • Hives/rash
  • Difficulty breathing/wheezing
  • Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis (SEVERE form) is an emergency that requires immediate intervention –medications like antihistamines, epinephrine shots–though some may require hospitalization if it progresses further.

How To Deal With Peanut Sensitivities

First off, congrats on becoming more mindful everything you consume (clap clap). Determining whether you have a true food allergy versus intolerance kind could be hard but consulting your physician would always help identify and come up with relevant solution to treat/manage your stomach issues caused by nuts.

For mild cases where bloating/pain/discomfort are experienced after consumption–luckily less aggressive than allergic reaction(s)–there are various steps one can follow:

1️⃣ Reduce/eliminate exposure! There’s no need to continue exposing yourself to same nut everyday just because Jerry brought trail mix to work.

2️⃣ Digestive enzymes: Adding digestive enzymes especially those that contain amylase/protease helps breakdown complex carbs/protein easier which alleviates GI discomforts.

3️⃣ Probiotics: These microorganisms live in our gut aiding digestion/gut health overall; adding foods high probiotics or taking supplements helps establish optimal microbial environment for balanced digestive health over time.

4️⃣ Work with your healthcare provider and/or registered dietitian for relevant dietary strategies to attain a balance while avoiding potential triggers along the way!

5️⃣ Do not resort to charcoal pills nor anything that seems out of the box without consulting professionals even if (Jenny recommended-herbology, her cousin swore by homeopathic concoction) – Just DON’T!

Are There Any Alternatives To Peanuts?

Although peanut butter is amazing (tongue twister– in my humble/opinion), there are alternatives available if nuttery’s not always acceptable:

  1. Almond Butter: This nut butter contains Oleic acid that promotes cardio health, magnesium amino acids & rich source vitamin E.

  2. Cashew Butter: As nutrient dense as almond base with an added fiber bonus.

  3. Sunflower Seed Butter: It’s perfect alternative for those dealing with nut sensitivities such as Celiacs or Gluten intolerance since it provides same texture/flavor profile also includes phytosterols promoting cardiovascular system benefits.

Verdict: Yes, peanuts can definitely cause stomach upset either through their allergens like histamine, protein complex such as lectin….or simply due to overconsumption when they shouldn’t be which results GI symptoms ranging from bloating/discomfort/stomach cramps/diarrhea – this goes for anyone regardless of thresholds so watch how much you eat!

If you suspect having any sensitivity or serious condition involving said legume/allergy then exploring with a medical professional would help diagnose/come up next step solution(s). However don’t throw them away just yet… reassessing intake amount/frequency combined incorporating enriching diet supplements could significantly provide relief overall. In times of utter desperation though – almond/cashew/hazelnut butters are great substitute options proving relatively straightforward swap-outs.

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