Shrimp is delicious, but for some unlucky folks it leads to embarrassing gas and bloating. If shrimp gives you tummy troubles, you’re not alone. Around 20% of people experience gas and other GI issues after eating shrimp. But why does this popular shellfish affect some of us this way? Let’s dive into the science behind shrimp and flatulence.
Possible Causes of Shrimp-Induced Gas
There are several potential reasons why shrimp may lead to gas production or abdominal discomfort in certain individuals:
-
Improper cooking Undercooked shrimp contains more indigestible chitin in the shell and digestive tract. Overcooked shrimp produces trimethylamine oxide an organic compound that can cause gas.
-
Individual intolerances: Some people may have an intolerance to proteins or other components in shrimp. Allergies are one cause of intolerance.
-
High histamine levels Shrimp naturally contains high levels of the compound histamine For those with histamine intolerance, this can trigger gas
-
FODMAPs Shrimp contains FODMAPs, types of carbohydrates that some people don’t absorb properly These ferment in the colon causing gas
-
Fat content: The high fat content of shrimp could lead to indigestion and gas in those with trouble digesting fats.
-
Contaminants: Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and environmental pollutants in shrimp can all cause gastrointestinal distress.
-
Preparation method: How the shrimp is prepared, what it’s paired with, and individual tolerances affect gas potential.
Now let’s explore the science behind a few of these factors in more detail.
FODMAPs – Carbs That Cause Gas
FODMAPs are certain types of carbohydrates found in various foods. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.
Examples of high-FODMAP foods include:
- Fructose (fruits, honey, high fructose corn syrup)
- Lactose (dairy)
- Fructans (wheat, garlic, onions)
- Galactans (legumes)
- Polyols (sweeteners like xylitol and sorbitol)
For people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), FODMAPs can cause gas, bloating, and other digestive issues. This is because FODMAPs are osmotically active, meaning they pull fluid into the intestine, and rapidly fermented by gut bacteria, producing gas.
Shrimp contains galactans and polyols. The chitin shell of shrimp is made up of long polysaccharide chains called chitooligosaccharides. These may act as FODMAPs for some people.
Histamine Intolerance
Histamine is a biologically active compound involved in local immune responses, gastric acid secretion, and neurological function. It is naturally present in certain foods and produced by microbial fermentation in the gut.
For those with histamine intolerance, ingesting high-histamine foods like aged cheeses, wine, or shrimp can trigger symptoms like:
- Headache and migraines
- Flushing and itching
- Nasal congestion
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Heart palpitations
Fish and seafood have naturally high levels of histidine, an amino acid that is converted to histamine post-catch. Improper handling and storage of shrimp allows microbial histamine production to continue.
Antihistamines provide relief from excess histamine for those with intolerance. Limiting intake of high-histamine foods like shrimp can also help.
Tips to Limit Gas From Shrimp
If shrimp gives you gas, try these tips to reduce your chances of flatulence and indigestion:
- Purchase high-quality, fresh shrimp and store properly
- Avoid overcooking shrimp
- Limit portion size to 3-4 oz
- Take a digestive enzyme or antacid
- Pair with alkaline foods like leafy greens
- Remove shells and digestive tracts before cooking
- Grill, steam, or bake instead of frying
- Try a low-FODMAP diet temporarily
For some, shrimp will always cause gastric distress no matter what. Pay attention to how your body responds and avoid shrimp if it consistently makes you gassy. An elimination diet can help identify food intolerances. Consulting a doctor or dietitian can provide guidance to improve your digestion and tolerance.
With the right precautions, shrimp can still be enjoyed without the unwanted side effect of excessive flatulence. But don’t be afraid to politely pass on the shrimp cocktail at your next gathering if it gives you grief later! Your stomach will thank you.
Testing for Shellfish Sensitivity
If you want to be sure that your symptoms are caused by a shellfish sensitivity, you should take a food sensitivity test. This will show you if you are actually sensitive to shellfish and if there are other ingredients that are also making you sick when you eat. At YorkTest, we use a finger prick blood sample to look at your IgG antibodies 1–4. This is one of the most accurate ways to test.
The blood test looks at more than 200 ingredients that you might be allergic to and rates how bad those reactions are using an easy-to-understand traffic light system. Once you get your results, our team can help you figure out what foods make you sick and give you advice on how to eat well and stay healthy.
What causes shellfish intolerance?
You have a shellfish intolerance if your digestive system doesn’t have the right enzymes to break down the protein in shellfish. This causes inflammation and makes it hard to digest. This is different from a shellfish food allergy which induces adverse reactions by the body’s immune system. It’s more likely that these reactions will be very bad and even deadly if they lead to an anaphylactic reaction that affects the lungs.
If you are shellfish intolerant, you need to eat shellfish to have symptoms. If you are shellfish allergic, depending on how severe the allergy is, you can have symptoms just by touching or cooking shellfish.
It’s also important to remember that a single stomach problem caused by shellfish could be food poisoning instead of a food intolerance, depending on how the shellfish was cooked and how fresh it was. Because of this, it’s helpful to keep a food diary to keep track of foods that hurt you.
5 Foods Causing You Gas and Bloating + How To Fix It!
FAQ
Why does seafood make you gassy?
Does cooked shrimp give you gas?
Can shrimp upset your stomach?
Why do I get gassy If I eat fish?
You get gassy from swallowing air when eating or digesting certain foods in your large intestine. Symptoms of gas include burping, flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain. Keep a diary of what you are eating and when your symptoms occur to determine if fish is what’s causing you to feel bloated.
What are the side effects of eating shrimp?
Shrimp allergy can be identified from signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling it, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.
Can high FODMAP foods cause gas?
High-FODMAP foods can cause gas because they contain fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are types of carbohydrates that the small intestine cannot easily absorb and later ferment in the colon. Gas is a common byproduct of this process.
Does consuming beans cause gas?
Beans and legumes, including beans, are known to cause gas. They contain high amounts of a complex sugar called raffinose that the body cannot digest. Additionally, their fiber-rich content can increase gassiness. Beans and other legumes that may cause gas include: