Alcohol and IBS - Is Alcohol an IBS Trigger?

• Yes! Alcohol is a strong GI irritant (and a potential colon carcinogen).
  
  
• It can cause painful spasms, urgency, and diarrhea, as well as bloating and rebound constipation.
  
  



• The worst drinks? Ones that contain other IBS triggers as well:
  
  
• Carbonation (beer, champagne)
  
  
• Coffee (regular, decaf, lattes, doesn't matter)
  
  
• Dairy or coconut cream (pina coladas, creme liqueurs)
  
  
• Fruit juices that are high in fructose (a FODMAP)
  
  
• Does this mean that you can never drink any alcohol at all ever again? It might - but maybe not.
  
  
• If you're not sure alcohol bothers you, eliminate it and get your diet stabilized.
  
  
• Don't just assume one drink won't hurt you, so you never take the step of eliminating all alcohol.
  
  
• This is a very common pattern with the foods and drinks people really don't want to give up - a juicy steak, ice cream sundaes, or that favorite cocktail before dinner.
  
  
• I definitely sympathize - but it's better to know for sure how your body reacts to triggers.
  
  
• IBS doesn't often respond to wishful thinking. Unfortunately.
  
  
• Already stable? Carefully try one drink and see how it affects you.
  
  
• Tolerance is greater when your IBS is stable, as your GI tract is less hypersensitive.
  
  
• How you drink, not just what you drink, could make quite a difference.
  
  
• One light drink after a high soluble fiber meal or a dose of Tummy Fiber may be tolerable.
  
  
• This is especially likely on an occasional (instead of daily) basis.
  
  
• Judging by reader feedback, white wine may be safer for IBS than red, and beer seems to be big trouble.
  
  
• Having a drink when you're feeling relaxed instead of stressed can make a difference as well.
  
  
• If you do drink, have at least one glass of water for each alcoholic beverage.
  
  
• Alcohol is very dehydrating, and this seriously impacts constipation and bloating.
  
  
• Really want the splurge? Help head off the GI spasms alcohol can cause by taking a peppermint oil capsule on an empty stomach an hour before you drink..
  
  
• Even better, follow up your booze with actively helpful drinks like Fennel or Peppermint Tummy Teas.
  
  
• A happy exception? Cooking with alcohol is usually very tolerable.
  
  
• The alcohol evaporates and carbonation dissipates. You'll get all of the flavor but none of the risk!.
  
  
• Try Chablis Chicken with Rice for a delicious example, and see Eating for IBS for hundreds more IBS friendly recipes.
  
  
Tip Takeaway: When it comes to IBS, alcohol is the devil's brew. Avoid completely, or limit your drinking to small quantities, infrequent occasions, and happy (not stressful) events.

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