Eggs are often counted among the most nutrient-dense meals available, which is why doctors recommended them to patients dealing with nutritional deficiencies.
The egg, which acts as a repository for essential nutrients, is particularly a powerhouse for proteins.
Unfortunately, some individuals develop an allergic reaction to eggs, and the symptoms may revolve around digestive disorders such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting.
So, why do eggs make you poop? Let’s find out.
What Causes Pooping After Consuming Eggs?
Egg intolerance is a common condition and may be a problem for those with food sensitivities, signaling a tendency for stomach pain and poor digestion. (1)
However, before you throw out your go-to breakfast meal or vegetable omelet, think about the following: Are the eggs actually causing you discomfort, or are they merely releasing a little bit more gas than you’re used to?
Suppose you are experiencing discomfort after munching on a delicious egg meal. In that case, the best course of action might be to have an allergy test performed or substitute oatmeal for eggs to see if this results in a lessening of the symptoms.
Having gas after eating eggs is manageable if it’s just that (although you may want to avoid eating eggs before an important business meeting or a first date!).
To clarify, we reviewed the research conducted by a registered dietitian at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Susan Berkman. (2)
According to her, egg intolerance is the most prevalent cause of digestive issues, including gas and bloating.
In simple words, egg intolerance means missing an enzyme necessary to break down specific components of the egg for easy digestion.
Moreover, individuals allergic to eggs may find themselves pooping since eggs contain sulfur, which causes digestion trouble and bloating.
On the other hand, pooping might be related to a food sensitivity to the egg yolk, white, or both.
Although it is not life-threatening, you probably won’t have the urge to poop after a few minutes or hours (depending on the number of eggs you consumed).
4 Reasons Eggs Make You Gassy and Bloated
Once you’ve determined what causes gassiness or bloating after eating eggs, you can devise a strategy to reduce the severity of your symptoms or eliminate them completely.
Below, we will examine and discuss the four probable reasons eggs cause you to feel bloated and gassy, as well as provide information on how to alleviate these symptoms.
- General Eating Habits
- Food Allergy or Sensitivity
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- High Amount of Iron or Sulfur
1) General Eating Habits
You can feel bloated after eating eggs due to the way you eat them, which might be one of the explanations for your discomfort.
People who have a habit of eating more quickly take in more oxygen, which causes them to get bloated and increases the likelihood of burping (or even pooping). (3)
Therefore, the eggs may not be the source of your bloating; rather, you are more hurried in the morning, which causes you to eat more quickly.
2) Food Sensitivity
Food sensitivity occurs when your body cannot digest a certain kind of food, leading to increased sensations of bloating and gas.
You could have a dietary intolerance to egg whites, yolks, or perhaps both, even though it’s not very common.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 0.5% to 2.5% of children have an egg intolerance, and most children grow out of their egg intolerance by the time they reach adulthood. (4)
Therefore, if you are one of the very few individuals who still has an egg allergy later in life, it is highly probable that your body does not have the enzymes necessary to digest the protein contained in eggs.
Since your body doesn’t completely digest the meal, it travels to your intestines, where bacteria feed on it and then release gas as waste material, causing bloating and stomach discomfort.
If you additionally experience diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting after eating eggs, this may indicate that you have a food sensitivity to eggs.
Getting tested for food sensitivities is highly recommended if you are unsure whether you have issues with eggs (or any other food).
3) Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, often known as IBS, is a common digestive disorder that may include bloating, constipation, stomach cramps, or diarrhea.
The symptoms have a pattern of appearing and disappearing. This indicates there will be periods when you do not have any symptoms, but there will also be moments when you will need to be extra cautious with your food choices.
A meal that causes these symptoms is referred to as a “trigger food.” When dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), various people have different foods that set off their symptoms, such as dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, and maize.
Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to cues from your body to establish whether or not eggs are a meal that sets off your triggers. If they are, consuming them will almost certainly cause you to feel bloated and have gas afterward.
If you experience bloating three to four times a day as a result of eating any other meal, it is quite possible that eggs will cause you to have increased sensitivity. If you find that you regularly have to deal with bloating, you may want to think about trying out a diet that is low in FODMAPs.
Patients who suffer from IBS may have increased pooping as a side effect of eating foods that contain FODMAPs. These foods include beans, nuts, dairy, and items containing gluten.
High Amount of Iron or Sulfur
Last but not least, eggs have a significant concentration of iron and sulfur. (5)
When combined, these two components produce an odor that is quite awful. While eating foods rich in sulfur won’t make you more bloated or gassy, it might make your flatulence smell even worse.
To prevent this, you may transform them into poached food by adding vinegar or lemon juice to the cooking water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to find the answers to your questions regarding egg intolerance.
What is Egg Intolerance?
Egg intolerance is a common condition and may be a problem for those with food sensitivities, signaling a tendency for stomach pain and poor digestion.
You may be intolerant to egg whites, egg yolks, or both. Intolerance of this kind almost often results in digestive tract discomfort in the form of symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal bloating, or stomach aches.
What are the Symptoms of Egg Intolerance?
Egg intolerance manifests most prominently in the digestive tract as a cluster of uncomfortable and temporary sensations. (6)
Therefore, if you have an allergy to eggs, you can have any or all of the following symptoms: stomach discomfort or bloating, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. (6)
Note that the symptoms of a food allergy appear immediately; however, when it comes to egg intolerance, the symptoms may not appear for many hours.
How is Egg Intolerance Diagnosed?
Due to various tests available, including blood tests and skin prick tests, allergies may be simpler to identify.
It is possible that certain alternative or integrative practitioners would test for food sensitivities by searching for antibodies in the blood, but these tests are usually inconclusive and often not covered by insurance. (6)
You may also buy a DNA kit online that might help you detect food sensitivities; however, the accuracy of such testing is not guaranteed. (6)
What is the Treatment for Egg Intolerance?
The most successful treatment for egg intolerance is to avoid eating eggs as much as possible. (6)
On the other hand, an elimination diet, in which you virtually refrain from eating eggs for a period of up to six weeks at a time, may be recommended by your physician.
After that, you should assess how you feel and decide whether or not you want to reintroduce eggs into your diet gradually.
What are the Risks of Egg Intolerance?
Avoiding eggs risks not getting some essential nutrients, including lutein, choline, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D.
If you cannot consume eggs regularly, discuss the possibility of deficiency in the nutrients listed above with your primary care provider.
To avoid nutritional deficiencies, you may need to start taking alternative supplements.
The Final Cut
So there you have it, the answer to “why egg makes me poop.” As long as you are aware of any potential reactions when you consume eggs as part of your diet, they may be a delicious, protein-rich, and nutrient-dense addition.
If the gas doesn’t bother you, there’s nothing to worry about. At the end of the day, go with how your body feels when deciding between food choices.
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