Reasons Lettuce May Cause Diarrhea

If you experience loose, frequent, and watery bowel movements, you have diarrhea. This condition occurs when stool passes too quickly through your digestive system.

Usually, diarrhea lasts one to two days, but it can persist if there is a serious problem. Certain foods, such as lettuce, have the potential to cause diarrhea.

Traveler’s Diarrhea

If you’re traveling and your stomach gets upset after eating lettuce, it might be traveler’s diarrhea. This type of diarrhea can occur when you visit a region where the climate and hygiene practices are different from your home country, according to Mayo Clinic.

Raw produce like lettuce is a likely culprit because it’s grown locally and washed in local water, which may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

To prevent traveler’s diarrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends avoiding salads as well as raw, unpeeled fruits and uncooked vegetables while traveling to areas with inadequate or unknown sanitation and hygiene practices. Instead, stick to cooked vegetables and fruits that you can peel yourself before eating.

Foodborne Illness

Leafy greens like lettuce are a common vehicle for foodborne illness, which can cause diarrhea. In fact, research shows that up to 9 percent of foodborne illnesses in the United States are attributed to leafy greens, with lettuce making up more than 75 percent of these cases.

Food that has been improperly handled, packaged, or washed can contain parasites or bacteria, which can lead to infection and unpleasant digestive symptoms.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw produce is associated with a number of potential contaminants that cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and fever. These symptoms can last anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.

To prevent foodborne illness, Mayo Clinic advises rinsing all produce, including lettuce, under running water before eating.

Fiber

Lettuce is a good source of fiber, containing 1 gram (g) per cup, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While fiber is an essential part of a healthy and well-balanced diet, adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can cause an upset stomach.

The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises getting about 25 to 30 g of fiber per day. When adding fiber to your diet, do so slowly over the course of a few weeks to avoid gastrointestinal symptoms, Mayo Clinic recommends. Also remember to drink plenty of water to help with the absorption of this important nutrient.

When to See a Doctor

Diarrhea should not persist for longer than two days. If it does, contact your doctor. Prevent dehydration from diarrhea by drinking plenty of fluids.

Mayo Clinic recommends making an appointment to see a healthcare provider if you experience diarrhea accompanied by any of the following:

• Stools that are pus-filled, bloody, black, or tarry
• A fever of 102 degrees F or greater
• Severe abdominal or rectum pain
• Symptoms of dehydration, including excessive thirst, lightheadedness, dizziness, little-to-no urination, or dark-colored urine