Why does alcohol give you diarrhea and how to avoid it?

One effect of alcoholic beverages that many people experience is diarrhea. It is an effect that few like to talk about but that is quite common. We tell you why and how to reduce the chances of it happening.

You must first understand the path that alcohol follows in your body. When you drink, the alcohol reaches the bloodstream and then the stomach. If it is empty, absorption will be rapid, then it absorbs the small intestine and then goes to the large intestine from which it leaves with faeces and urine.

Four reasons for diarrhea

Irritates and inflames. Alcohol can lead to increased acid production in the stomach, which can increase irritation and inflammation. This irritation can often lead to diarrhea, explains Dr. Graham Rogers in Medical News Today.

Bad absorption of liquids. Normally, the large intestine absorbs fluids from the stool before you defecate. But alcohol can alter the function of the large intestine and with it the absorption of liquids. So your stool will be liquid and you can become dehydrated.

Digestion is accelerated: The muscles of the colon contract more frequently to expel faeces faster than normal. This causes diarrhea due to the lack of time in the intestines to digest.

Good bacteria are killed: Alcohol can temporarily kill helpful bacteria in the intestines and allow other non-beneficial bacteria to grow rapidly, which favors diarrhea.

Good bacteria will be favored when alcohol consumption ceases and normal eating resumes.

How to avoid diarrhea?

Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat before drinking alcohol, if there is food in the stomach the rate of alcohol absorption will decrease and with it the risk of diarrhea.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages mixed with caffeine. Caffeine can increase the speed of digestion.

Avoid sugary drinks

Drink in moderation

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