Why Smoothies Make You Poop

Smoothies are a great way to incorporate healthy fruits and veggies into your daily diet. But did you know that if you drink too many smoothies, you might experience issues with constipation? 

You heard it right. If you’ve ever experienced running to the bathroom after drinking a smoothie, it is not because your body is detoxing. It’s because of what’s in the smoothie itself. Yep, your breakfast could be giving you the runs. Here’s why:

Smoothies Contain Lots of Fiber

Smoothies are often thick and creamy — which means they contain plenty of soluble fiber, which helps keep you feeling full longer. Many people don’t get enough fiber in their diets, so this is good!

The high-fiber content of smoothies can also help prevent constipation by helping food move through the digestive tract more quickly. If you have trouble getting regular bowel movements, ask your doctor if adding more fiber to your diet could help solve the problem.

Smoothies Are Made With Fruit, Yogurt, and Milk — All Foods That Are High in Water Content

Drinking real fruit smoothies regularly can be a good way to increase your fluid intake, which is important for preventing dehydration and maintaining good health. However, if you drink too much smoothie at once, it can cause diarrhea.

Fruit Augar, AKA FODMAPS, Is an Instigator of Poop

FODMAPs are short for fermentable, oligo-, di-, monosaccharides, and polyols — a fancy name for certain types of carbohydrates that can cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. 

This happens when the bacteria in your intestines ferment the sugars found in carrots, bananas, apples and other high-FODMAP foods that aren’t digested well by most people’s digestive systems. The fermentation causes gas production that can lead to bloating and cramps — plus diarrhea!

Other FODMAP foods include dairy (milk, cheese), legumes (beans, peas), wheat and other grains (breads, pasta), fruit juices and apple cider vinegar. If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid all these ingredients in your smoothie recipes!

Blenders Break Cell Walls and Release Starch

Blenders break cell walls, which release the starch inside the plant cell and allow it to pass through your digestive system faster than normal. This can cause diarrhea because when plant cells are broken down, they release sugar into the bloodstream at an accelerated rate.

The sugar rushes through your blood vessels, causing them to dilate and relax so that increased amounts of blood flow through them. That’s why you feel lightheaded after drinking too much soda — it’s because too much sugar is entering your bloodstream at once!

Certain Fruits, Like Pineapple and Papaya, Are Poop Inducers

Some fruits contain natural enzymes that help break down proteins into smaller molecules that are easier for your body to absorb (and use as energy). These fruit enzymes may also help break down food particles that contribute to constipation and diarrhea by accelerating peristalsis (the coordinated muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract).

You Mixed in Probiotics or Chia Seeds or Flax Seeds

Probiotics are helpful bacteria that live in the gut and help with digestion. They may also aid in weight loss and immune function. But if you don’t keep them refrigerated, they may cause diarrhea when consumed regularly as part of a smoothie recipe.

Blueberries Aren’t for Everyone

Blueberries are packed with nutrients like vitamin C and fiber, which can cause diarrhea in some people after eating them raw (rather than cooked). So if you’re sensitive to blueberries, it’s best not to add them to smoothies unless they’re cooked first!

Your Smoothie Is Too Thick or Too Sweet

If you’re using frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit, be careful about how much ice you use in your smoothie. Too much ice will dilute the taste of your smoothie and make it too thick. Also, try reducing the amount of honey or maple syrup you use so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in your smoothie.

Takeaway

Smoothies are another great way to help your gut flora by consuming a broad spectrum of probiotic foods, prebiotics, and fiber, leading to healthier bowel function. And while not everyone has the same experience of drinking smoothies, you can be assured that they’re doing your colon a favor. Smoothies alone most likely won’t clog your pipes, but you should still be careful about combining all the wrong foods.