# Raw carrots = stomach pain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602 "2001-03-19T16:42:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/1 "2001-03-19T16:42:19Z")
Whenever I eat raw carrots, I tend to get short, sharp, stabbing pains in my stomach. Not life-or-death quality pain, but more like, “ow - that’s unpleasant”. I don’t think it’s an allergy, and cooked carrots are fine. My wife thinks I’m weird (well, ok, that’s nothing new). But she thinks a) I must be making it up and b) why do I keep doing it ('cause I likes 'em, that’s why). It also will happen with the occasional granny smith apple. Am I alone or does this afflict others? And what is present in raw carrots that could cause this, but not in cooked carrots. (And never mind what cooked carrots taste like) ---
**Author:** ![Avumede](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/avumede/32/7235_2.png) [@Avumede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avumede)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/2 "2001-03-19T17:10:32Z")
I don’t get pains, but raw carrots definitely make my stomach churn and rumble a bit. I don’t know why, no other vegetable has that affect on me. Perhaps it’s too hard for some people to digest easily. ---
**Author:** ![Alki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/cab0a1/32.png) [@Alki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alki)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/3 "2001-03-19T17:33:40Z")
I have experienced the same thing. Perhaps the word “pain” is a bit overblown in my case–carrots and tart apples cause an uncomfortable “rumble,” as **Avumede** put it. I haven’t been able to find any dead-on articles in the medical literature about it. Apples and carrots are occasionally sources of mild food alergy, causing one or more of the following: “nausea, vomiting, cramping pain, diarrhea, abdominal distention, . . . flatus,” oral tingling, “sneezing, nasal congestion, profuse rhinorrhea, ocular pruritus and tearing, laryngeal pruritus and tightness, repetitive deep cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, . . . chest tightness,” anaphylaxis, uterine cramps, and severe bronchospasm. (Bernhisel-Broadbent, J., “Diagnosis and Management of Food Hyerpsensitivity,” _Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America_, Vol. 19, No. 3, Aug 1999) I’ve never experienced any of the other symptoms, so I’m tempted to think that “too hard for some people to digest” is probably the right answer. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/4 "2001-03-19T18:03:21Z")
These slurs against the poor innocent raw carrot are frankly insulting. Raw carrots rule. Especially when you eat the outside bit and just try to leave the sweeter tubey thingy with prickly bits. Not wanting to totally hijack this thread, but what is that? It’s one of the greatest things in the known universe and yet I don’t what it is. What is the cool bit in the middle of a carrot…a question on everybody’s lips me thinks. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/5 "2001-03-19T19:05:01Z")
When I was actively having acid reflux problems and was being evaluated for gastric ulcer, my doctor told me to avoid raw carrots, along with coconut and a few other raw foods. Seems the sharp pieces cause mechanical irritation, just as wool scratches your skin. From your description, I’d say that’s what it is, but IANAD. Robin ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/6 "2001-03-19T19:09:28Z")
Something my boyfriend does that I’ve started doing as well, is washing all vegetables _extremely_ well before eating them. We have a sponge with a green scrubby side that is used only for washing vegetables, and we scrub all vegetables thoroughly before eating them. I bring this up because on the two occasions when I have eaten raw carrots without washing them first, I’ve experienced mild nausea and stomach pains. But I’ve never had that happen when I scrub the carrots first. Just my experience, don’t know if it’s the cause of your problem or not. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2001, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/7 "2001-03-19T21:18:22Z")
Hang on a sec. Are people here saying that they don’t cut off the outside first. No wonder you’re all getting stomach problems. The outside is dirty: carrots grow IN THE GROUND. Sort it out… ---
**Author:** ![Chas.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Chas.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chas.E)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/8 "2001-03-20T02:56:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by msrobyn \* > **Seems the sharp pieces cause mechanical irritation, just as wool scratches your skin.** I just thought I’d point out that you’re supposed to CHEW the carrots before swallowing them. ---
**Author:** ![Shiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/9 "2001-03-20T03:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fiendish Astronaut \* > \*\*What is the cool bit in the middle of a carrot…a question on everybody’s lips me thinks. \*\* That would be the Stele, which contains the xylem. The outer ‘shell’ is the Cortex. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/10 "2001-03-20T04:26:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chas.E \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by msrobyn \* > > **Seems the sharp pieces cause mechanical irritation, just as wool scratches your skin.** > > I just thought I’d point out that you’re supposed to CHEW the carrots before swallowing them. \*\* Really? :rolleyes: I do chew carrots. The little bits are still pretty sharp, however. Robin ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/11 "2001-03-20T08:11:24Z")
It _is_ possible to be mildly allergic to something in raw form but be able to tolerate is just fine when it’s cooked. Our allergy doc suspected that’s what was going on with flodjunior and strawberries. He could handle strawberry jam just fine, but fresh strawberries or even strawberry ice cream with berry bits in it would make him break out. Fortunately he seems to have grown out of that now. I don’t know if **pcubed** _et al_ have an allergy, but the possibility shouldn’t be ruled out just because yinz can handle cooked carrots. ---
**Author:** ![SINsApple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@SINsApple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SINsApple)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/12 "2001-03-20T08:32:29Z")
Thanks Fiendish Astronaute for pointing out to us that carrots are a root vegetable :rolleyes: Regardless of whether or not the carrot is washed, they give me stomach cramps when I eat them raw. Especially if I have an empty, or fairly empty stomach. I always figured they were just hard to digest. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/13 "2001-03-20T09:04:48Z")
I’ve had the same problem with broccoli. Raw broccoli gives me that unpleasant rumble, but cooked broccoli I can eat without incident. I’ve always just considered that my body found raw broccoli difficult to digest (it’s a high fiber food, etc.), but when cooked, it’s been broken down to a point, making it easier to digest. Cooking helps break down some of the fiber, making food easier to digest in the human body. I think that’s probably where your problem lies. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2001, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/14 "2001-03-20T13:10:26Z")
Thanks for all of the replies. I’d definitely say mine was more than a rumble. The best description I can think of is little demons with dull cocktail forks trying to poke their way out. It does happen, as **SINsApple** pointed out mostly on an empty or nearly empty stomch (I have a habit of bringing a baggie of the things to work and eat them as my midmorning snack). I haven’t noticed it with raw broccoli, but then again my intake of raw broccoli is usually limited to one piece off of a veggie tray eaten politely at a party so as to not offend the host. Cooked broccoli does rule though. I’m willing to consider mechanical irritation, but as mentioned, it happens also with tart apples. By the time they hit my tummy, they are pretty soft yet still manifest the problem. And also I would expect similar results from things like popcorn hulls, granola, etc, none of which bother me. ---
**Author:** ![Gastroprobs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/87869e/32.png) [@Gastroprobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gastroprobs)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/15 "2017-05-20T16:25:04Z")
Did you ever get relief? I get sharp cramping pain from raw carrots and occasionally from other foods. I would liken the pain to gas pains but 100 times more severe. The pain can become debilitating. Of course I stay away from raw carrots but I never know what is going to trigger it. Just wondering if you ever found a remedy for the pain. I realize this post was years ago but I’m desperate to find answers. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/16 "2017-05-21T14:13:52Z")
I’ve been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)\*, and raw carrots, apples, popcorn, and carbonated drinks cause me this pain. I think it is a mechanical thing - my stomach and digestive system are more tender than other peoples’, and they get irritated more easily (hence the name). I’ve started eating unsweetened fruit puree cups with apple and carrot in them - no problems at all. ETA: I have problems with black pepper and mustard, too. \*By the usual method - they eliminated everything else that could be causing the pain and digestive issues. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/17 "2017-05-21T21:21:05Z")
Dang, I thought that was a bag of peppercorns in my fridge, and instead it was 16-year-old carrots. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/18 "2017-05-21T22:07:46Z")
Parsley, cilantro/coriander, fennel, dill and cumin are in the same family. Do any of these cause you any problems? ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/19 "2017-05-24T17:19:16Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > It _is_ possible to be mildly allergic to something in raw form but be able to tolerate is just fine when it’s cooked… … I recently saw a theory being kicked about that peelings have some proteins similar to the proteins in pollen that cause allergies. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602/20 "2017-05-25T02:37:28Z")
> [@Why\_A\_Duck](#): > > Whenever I eat raw carrots, I tend to get short, sharp, stabbing pains in my stomach. Not life-or-death quality pain, but more like, “ow - that’s unpleasant”. I don’t think it’s an allergy, and cooked carrots are fine. > > My wife thinks I’m weird (well, ok, that’s nothing new). But she thinks a) I must be making it up and b) why do I keep doing it ('cause I likes 'em, that’s why). It also will happen with the occasional granny smith apple. > > Am I alone or does this afflict others? And what is present in raw carrots that could cause this, but not in cooked carrots. (And never mind what cooked carrots taste like) You possibly do have an allergy. I forget what it is called but there is an allergy that pertains to raw carrots. Cooked are fine, breaks down the proteins the body is not liking. Something about the proteins in the carrots being similar to birch pollen You might look into it [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raw-carrots-stomach-pain/58602.md?page=2)