Quinoa has nearly double the fiber of most grains. If your body isn’t used to consuming a ton of fiber, and suddenly you double down on a quinoa salad, it could definitely throw you for a loop … and lead to diarrhea, bloating, and discomfort. And then there’s the issue of saponin, a soapy, naturally occurring chemical that coats quinoa grains.
She added that quinoa has a natural coating of saponin, a chemical that helps repel microbes while the seed of quinoa is in its growing stage. “Saponins can cause acidity, bloating and gas, especially if quinoa is not washed properly before its consumption.
Can quinoa cause gas&bloating?
If you experience gas, bloating or diarrhea after eating quinoa, fiber may be the culprit. You can limit the problem by starting with smaller portions and adding fiber to your diet gradually. As you boost fiber intake, be sure to drink plenty of water or noncaffeinated beverages.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was; can you be allergic to quinoa?
Our favorite answer was quinoa is not associated with food allergies, but it does contain some ingredients that could cause problems. If you experience a gastrointestinal reaction after eating quinoa, it’s probably due to fiber or substances called saponins.
Is quinoa good for stomach pain?
Quinoa actually helps with digestion due to it’s fiber contents, as it helps by retaining water in the intestine, not only that it helps to remove the cholesterol from our intestine. It can also reduce the risk of diseases which target the digestive system in the human body.
If quinoa and amaranth are not soaked to remove the saponins that coat the seeds, that could cause intestinal distress or diarrhea. The high fiber content in quinoa also causes diarrhea in some people, as does the lysinuric protein in amaranth to people who are intolerant of that protein.
Then, what are the health benefits of quinoa?
Quinoa contains 10 g of dietary fiber per cup. Considering that the average adult is recommended to consume between 20 and 35 g of fiber daily, one cup provides a substantial amount. If your body isn’t accustomed to a lot of fiber in your diet, eating a lot of quinoa can lead to gas, bloating and stomach pain.