What causes stomach discomfort after eating kiwifruit?

Stomach discomfort after eating kiwifruit may be caused by factors such as an empty stomach, indigestion, gastritis, pancreatitis, or gastric ulcers. Treatment can be determined based on the specific condition.

1. Empty Stomach

Kiwifruit is considered a cooling food and contains high levels of acidic substances. Eating kiwifruit on an empty stomach may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing stomach spasms and discomfort. Generally, no special treatment is required—simply stop consuming kiwifruit, and symptoms will gradually improve.

2. Indigestion

Consuming a large amount of kiwifruit may irritate the stomach, leading to excessive secretion of gastric acid, which can damage the gastric mucosa and result in symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea. It is recommended to take prokinetic medications as directed by a physician. Commonly used drugs include domperidone tablets, itopride hydrochloride tablets, and mosapride citrate tablets, which help alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

3. Gastritis

If an individual already has gastritis, eating kiwifruit may further irritate the gastric mucosa. Additionally, consuming large quantities increases the digestive burden on the gastrointestinal tract, worsening digestive function and potentially triggering a flare-up of the condition. It is advisable to take medications that protect the gastric mucosa under medical guidance. Commonly used medications include hydrotalcite chewable tablets, sucralfate tablets, and bismuth potassium citrate capsules.

4. Pancreatitis

Due to inflammation and damage to the pancreas, the organ may fail to produce sufficient digestive enzymes to effectively break down food, resulting in incomplete digestion of kiwifruit and causing symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. Medications such as dl-anisodamine tablets, propantheline bromide tablets, and domperidone tablets may be used as prescribed to relieve pain.

5. Gastric Ulcer

Enzymes in kiwifruit, such as cellular enzymes and proteolytic enzymes, may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing discomfort. This effect may be more pronounced if the gastric mucosa is already damaged. It is recommended to take acid-suppressing medications as directed by a physician, including omeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, and ranitidine hydrochloride capsules.

To prevent irritation or worsening of symptoms, it is advisable to limit kiwifruit consumption. If symptoms are severe, seek medical attention for appropriate evaluation and follow physician recommendations to determine the most suitable management approach.