Not surprisingly, your digestive system is one of the first body systems to be affected by your diet. Consistent consumption of fast food, chemicals, and high-sugar food creates a continuous state of inflammation in the gut.
High sugar consumption elevates blood acid levels and increases levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and homocysteine, and this consistent inflammation can lead to a chronic irritation of the digestive system known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If you’re under constant stress, be it emotional stress or physical stress from inflammation, your nervous system stays overstimulated, which results in a decrease in production of digestive enzymes and less movement of the bowels, which makes the irritable bowel condition worse.
If you have a fructose absorption problem (up to half of the population does), the GLUT5 transporter in the small intestine doesn’t take up fructose as efficiently as it could. That means a lot of undigested fructose travels down to the colon, feeding the bacteria there and leading to bloating, cramping, and diarrhea — all symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. If you have IBS, avoid consuming too much fructose at one time.
An acidic, high-sugar diet creates an environment in the intestines that kills off the beneficial bacteria (the intestinal flora) that colonize the gut. This makes way for harmful organisms to take hold, including parasites, infectious bacteria, and yeast. Disrupting the intestinal flora adds to bowel irritation by compromising both digestion and immunity.