Eating chocolate is good for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or what is often referred to as irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder in the digestive system that causes discomfort in the stomach accompanied by pain and disruption during bowel movements. Many say that people with irritable intestines should not eat chocolate. Is that true?

Not all types of chocolate are prohibited for people with irritable bowels

Reporting from the Healthline page, chocolate bars and chocolate candies are not recommended for consumption by people with irritable bowel syndrome. The reason is, the high caffeine and sugar content in chocolate can lead to stomach pain and constipation. Even so, some types of chocolate are low in caffeine or maybe does not contain caffeine at all can be consumed by people with intestinal irritation.

In fact, a recent study has shown that chocolate can act as a prebiotic, a component in food that can increase the growth of good bacteria in the gut.

In addition, prebiotics are also believed to be able to relieve inflammation in the intestine while supporting calcium absorption. The researchers argue that the flavanol content in chocolate is more absorbed in the large intestine than in the small intestine. That way, the flavanols that enter the large intestine will interact with the good bacteria in the intestine and work to reduce inflammation.

This idea is supported by other studies that have found that regular consumption of a drink with a high chocolate flavanol content for four weeks increases bacterial growth. Bifidonacteria and Lactobacillus . Both of these bacteria are allegedly beneficial for both the intestines and the health of the body.

Eating chocolate is also believed to prevent disease-causing bacteria that commonly grow in the lining of the human intestine, such as bacteria Clostridium .

But again, each person who experiences symptoms of irritable bowel has different symptoms so that the types of foods to avoid are not always the same. The most important thing for people with irritable bowel is to adopt a healthy diet. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you must have memorized very well what foods can worsen the condition of the body, which is what should be avoided.

What is the limit for chocolate that can be consumed?

Although studies have shown chocolate is safe for consumption by people with intestinal irritation, it's a good idea to limit your consumption to prevent more severe digestive problems.

According to researchers from Monash University in Australia, the limits of chocolate (both chocolate bars and cocoa powder) that are still safe for consumption by people with intestinal irritation are:

Dark chocolate: 0.5-3 ounces in one serving
Milk chocolate and white chocolate: only 0.5 ounces approx
Cocoa powder: about 2-4 teaspoons
Chocolate drink: the recommended portion of cocoa powder should be no more than 3 ounces

However, if you experience intestinal irritation, you should further consult with your doctor to find out whether you are allowed to eat chocolate and how many consumption limits are still safe for digestion.