There is no need to avoid spicy food if you have IBS as most spices, including turmeric, ginger, mint, cumin, coriander, are soothing to the sensitive gut. Even pepper is not a problem. The only spice that can possibly make the symptoms of IBS worse is chilli, but that also depends on how frequently it is consumed.
Overconsumption of chilli can cause burning in the mouth and abdomen, abdominal pain and after a few hours increased sensitivity while passing stools too. This is more severe in patients with IBS-diarrhoea. However, tolerance to chilli increases if we ingest it regularly. People who consume chilli regularly in their diet hardly ever notice how hot it is.
Studies on people with IBS-diarrhoea has shown that although there is an increased sensitivity in the beginning, daily ingestion of chilli reduced the sensitivity after a period of time. Chilli stimulates a specific pain receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), but after some time your body accommodates it and the effect is reversed. This has led some to believe that longer term ingestion of chilli might actually be a treatment for the sensitive gut, but there is not much evidence to back this claim.
Sometimes it may not be the chilli that stimulates symptoms in a sensitive gut. Chilli is often served with curries, tacos and other dishes that are not only rich in fat but also contain other foods that many be generating the symptoms.
Is it possible to fight depression naturally with nutrition?
When treating depression, we often overlook nutrition. You are what you eat, so you need to eat food that will help you be happy. There are a few points to keep in mind.
Every meal should contain some complex carbohydrate-rich foods. Cut back on sugary foods. Replace refined sweets with nutritious foods such as fresh fruit, crunchy vegetables, wholegrain bread or low-fat yogurt. Cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and medication, and drink more water.
Try to consume foods rich in vitamin B6. Aim for several servings daily of chicken, legumes, fish, bananas, avocados and dark green leafy vegetables. Include at least two folic acid-rich foods in the diet such as spinach, broccoli, orange juice or chard.
Make changes gradually. Take a multivitamin supplement to fill in any nutritional gaps. Also consider regular exercise, a strong social support system, and avoid alcohol, cigarettes and medications that compound an emotional problem. Always consult a physician if emotional problems persist or interfere with your quality of life and health.