Cauliflower is a highly nutritious vegetable. Because of its carb-restricted formula cauliflower is a very popular keto vegetable.
In fact, the essential nutrients of cauliflower make it among the best weight loss vegetables. However, in certain circumstances, cauliflower can cause stomach upset. In fact, cauliflower can cause excess gas and gastrointestinal problems.
But why does cauliflower cause stomach upset like gas, bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea & how to get rid of it? Let’s check the details.
Can Cauliflower Cause Gas & Diarrhea?
Cauliflower is among the best low carb and high fiber foods. This combination is beneficial for maintaining a healthy life.
However, consumption of cauliflower can cause gas because of its high fiber component and presence of complex sugar, raffinose. In fact, cauliflower can promote gastrointestinal problems(GI) like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
It’s because fiber increases gas production in healthy adults. Also, some people have a carb and simple sugar intolerance which is another cause behind gas (1).
Moreover, fiber is indigestible by humans. That’s why malabsorption of fibers can also trigger gas. Concluding all of these factors we can say that cauliflower can cause gas.
Can Cauliflower Cause Diarrhea?
Although cauliflower is a gas-promoting vegetable it can trigger diarrhea in sporadic cases. It’s because all the major types of diarrhea occur because of bacterial infection. Also, lactose intolerance promotes diarrhea in some cases (2).
As cauliflower has no relation to bacteria and it’s free from lactose, there is a thin chance of diarrhea from this healthy vegetable. However, too much cauliflower can cause diarrhea.
As fiber is indigestible, surplus consumption can cause phytobezoar formation in the gastrointestinal tract (3). People may get affected with diarrhea from the malabsorption caused by phytobezoar formation.
Does Roasted Cauliflower Cause Gas?
Roasted cauliflower does not reduce the fiber density in cauliflower. As fiber is the main culprit behind gas production, roasted cauliflower can also cause gas.
How To Prevent Gas From Caulifower?
Malabsorption of fiber and too much fiber are associated with gas production. You can prevent gas from cauliflower by reducing these two fiber-related hazards.
To, prevent malabsorption of fiber you need to intake more water. Also, maintaining nutrient balance aka consumption of other healthy organic foods with cauliflower can also provide relief from gas.
Furthermore, you should avoid fiber overload by reducing the intake of cauliflower. It will also help in the long run to get rid of gas after consuming too many cauliflowers.
Does Cauliflower Cause Acid Reflux?
The pain in the upper chest due to acidity is called acid reflux or heartburn. A high intake of acidic foods is the major cause of heartburn.
On the other hand, vitamin C or ascorbic acid is highly acidic. Studies have shown that vitamin C can trigger acid reflux (4).
A 100 gram serving of cauliflower contains a high number of vitamin C or 48.2 mg (5). As cauliflower is high in vitamin C, it can promote acid reflux in healthy adults.
Does Cauliflower Cause Bloating?
Due to cauliflower’s low carb and high nutrient values, people tend to eat a lot of cauliflower on the keto diet. Even they do not limit the high intake of cauliflower after achieving the ketosis symptoms.
Because of this high intake of cauliflower keto dieters often get affected by bloating. But why does cauliflower cause bloating?
It’s because cauliflower is high in fiber and among the high FODMAP vegetables. Both high fiber and FODMAP-rich foods increase the frequency of bloating (6, 7).
However, by controlling the intake of cauliflowers you can get rid of bloating on keto.
Does Cauliflower Cause Stomach Pain?
High fiber foods increase the risk of stomach pain (8). As cauliflower contains a very little amount of fat, a normal intake of cauliflower does not cause stomach pain.
However, you can get affected with keto stomach pain after consumption of this low-carb vegetable. The high FODMAP and fiber components of cauliflower can trigger stomach pain.
How To Relieve Stomach Pain From Cauliflower?
You can relieve cauliflower-related stomach pain by reducing your intake of this vegetable. The high FODMAP formula of cauliflower is directly associated with the occurrence of stomach pain, especially if you are an IBS patient.
Studies have shown that the reduction of high FODMAP foods can reduce stomach pain in IBS patients (9).
Moreover, the high fiber intake from too much cauliflower consumption is the main cause of stomach pain in healthy adults. That’s why maintaining a healthy intake of cauliflowers may omit or reduce stomach pain in people.
Can Cauliflower Cause Digestive Problems?
Cauliflower is a popular ketogenic vegetable that is highly nutritious. This green vegetable is packed with dietary fiber. Excess consumption of cauliflower can cause digestive problems like gas, bloating, and constipation because of high fiber consumption.
Too much fiber intake causes phytobezoar formation in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that phytobezoar formation is associated with small bowel obstruction (10).
On the other hand, high fiber consumption can trigger gas and bloat. That’s why the uncontrolled intake of cauliflower can promote digestive problems due to its high fiber component.
Final Thoughts
Cauliflower is a low-carb ketogenic vegetable. It is full of nutrients and widely used by people for its health benefits.
However, cauliflower is high in dietary fiber and is considered a high FODMAP vegetable. These two factors of cauliflower can cause stomach upset.
The major stomach problems occur due to the high consumption of cauliflower. A surplus intake of cauliflower can cause gas, bloating, stomach pain, or even diarrhea in healthy adults.
However, by following a controlled intake limit of this healthy nutritious vegetable, people can get rid of these stomach disorders.
