I guess you could say I have been on a blueberry bender as of late. I am almost middle aged. And my mental faculties have been slowing down, just a little. Blueberries are supposedly brain food.
I have been buying blueberry smoothies. But I try to eat fresh blueberries every chance I get.
I can’t say I have noticed any improvement mentally, at least to a significant degree. But one side effect of eating raw blueberries is intense pain.
I buy a small or medium sized carton of them. Then I eat them after my main meal. Then sometimes, esp. if I eat a larger portion, I get intense stomach pain. It lasts 20-30 minutes. Then it usually goes away. One time I even considered going to the emergency room.
FYI, I also take Metformin for my type 2 diabetes with my main meal. And I haven’t considered telling my doctor. But I certainly will, if someone here suggests that I do.
Any thoughts on what could be causing it? Or how to prevent it (if poss.)?
You’re buying cartons of raw blueberries at the supermarket, right? Are you washing them thoroughly before you eat them? The bushes they grew on may have been sprayed with insecticide. Also, with type 2 diabetes, you should eat only 1/2 cup at a time. Maybe you are eating too much. Such severe stomach pain indicates something serious. I would consult my doctor.
I have type 2 also; I eat sugar free blueberry jam with toast at breakfast. I don’t have any problem with it. If I eat fresh or frozen blueberries, I don’t have any pain. But I do wash the fresh berries before eating them. If you are washing them and still having pain, see the doc.
All my life I was able to eat the skin on the cucumber without any ill effect. Suddenly, at middle age, I began to experience stomach upset whenever I ate cucumber, which I really like. I thought I would have to give it up, but it turned out to be just the skin causing the issue. When I asked my Dr he said such things happen as you age.
I also love fruit and have always eaten lots of it. But now, in middle age I find I can no longer eat a whole bowl of cherries or berries without digestive issues. A handful or so, no problem, but too much and the system reacts with discomfort. From what I can tell this is all a natural side effect of aging. Some people get bad knees, or backs, others start to age first in their gut.
Perhaps that’s all that’s happening to you? Dial back how much blueberries you’re consuming and see if that doesn’t make all the difference.
As much as I miss being able to eat a whole bowl of cherries, I’m just glad I can still eat all the things I truly like, just with a little moderation.
I have type 2 and take Metformin and have been eating blueberries regularly at lunch. I think at most I have a half cup but usually more like 1/4 cup.
I don’t experience pain after eating them. I do get indigestion if I eat too many (that half cup, or more). I don’t think that the blueberry skins are very digestible.
As suggested by others, trying cutting back on the amount and see if that stops the problem. Start with a relatively small amount and work your way up. A spoonful tonight, for example, and wait for issues. If there are no issues, then try 2 spoonfuls tomorrow. You should be able to pinpoint where your tolerance is. Once you know it, you can split your blueberry consumption between meals, instead of all at once.
You could also try putting the blueberries into a smoothie, as a separate experiment. If the skins are causing the problems, then pulverizing them in a blender might help with the stomach pain.
Try doing some research on what other berries or fruit might contain the ingredient that you are trying to add to your diet. Depending on which one it is, you may find that other berries can rotate in and give your stomach a break. Raspberries are supposed to be excellent, I have heard.
Metformin slows digestion and thus can be cause of digestive discomfort. I also take it and have developed symptoms of IBS, which I manage by avoiding certain trigger foods and by drinking peppermint tea. I’m fine with eating fruit, though I don’t care for blueberries, but unfortunately one of my trigger foods is chicken. I love chicken
Well, I don’t have an ulcer and high-acid fruit can often result in stomach pain for me. I have to avoid things like fresh orange juice, lemonade and limeade or I’ll suffer for it. Blueberries are rather high in acid, I think?
Diverticulitis can sometimes cause painful digestion, especially veggie and fruit skins and seeds.
I would cut them out of my diet.
There are other sources of antioxidants, if that’s what you’re after.
It’s actually a medical myth that those with diverticulosis should avoid seeds and skins. Those with diverticulosis who eat a diet high in seeds, skins, fiber do better.
Diverticulitis (as opposed to diverticulosis) is a serious, acute life-threatening infection which needs immediate medical attention, and possibly surgical attention. They shouldn’t eat ANYTHING during an attack.
If you have to ask strangers on an internet message board if you should ask your doctor, than the answer is yes. I don’t know why you would consider our advice before your doctor’s.
I’m a metformin taking type 2 diabetic and if my blood sugar gets high (like in the 15 range) I get intense stabbing pain in my gut.
Have you checked your blood sugar after one of these snacks, because a whole carton of blueberries either straight up or in a smoothie (particularly if it has sweetened yogurt or ice cream or something) seems like it could have a lot of sugar on top of your normal meal.
Yes, but also sometimes no. One of the local grocery stores is infamous for showing ads with blueberries in a bowl on sale for $1.88. It’s only when you get to the store you realize that this week’s blueberries aren’t a pint like they were three weeks ago. This week it’s a six ounce container like raspberries come in.
