Why Does Shrimp Make Me Gassy?

Shrimp is one of my favorite foods. I love hitting up the local seafood spot and ordering up a delicious plate of grilled shrimp. But unfortunately every time I eat more than a few pieces of shrimp I end up suffering from crazy gas and bloating afterwards. If you’re anything like me and get super gassy after eating shrimp, you’ve probably wondered – why does shrimp make me so gassy?!

I decided to do some investigating to try to get to the bottom of this mystery and figure out the reasons why shrimp causes gas for some unlucky folks, Keep reading to learn why shrimp induces tummy troubles for some of us

A Yummy Yet Tricky Shellfish

First, let’s start with why shrimp is so problematic for our digestive systems compared to other types of seafood and meat. Shrimp is classified as a crustacean, along with lobster, crab, and crawfish. Like these other shellfish, shrimp have a hard, outer shell called an exoskeleton. This tough exoskeleton can be difficult for our bodies to break down and properly digest.

Additionally, shrimp contain a compound called chitin which gives their shells that hardy texture. Chitin also happens to be indigestible for humans. So all that chitin just sits in our guts, leading to gas and bloating.

The digestive tracts inside the shrimp can also cause tummy troubles, if they aren’t thoroughly cleaned out before cooking. Shrimp intestines still carry irritating particles that can upset our stomachs.

Common Causes of Shrimp Gas

Now that we know a bit about shrimp’s tricky digestive nature, let’s explore some of the top theories behind why exactly they make people gassy:

Histamine Intolerance

Some researchers believe that the high histamine content in shrimp may be to blame for the gas. Histamine is a protein that helps regulate physiological functions like immune responses, gastric acid secretion, and neuromuscular transmission. But when our bodies lack the enzymes needed to break histamine down effectively, it can lead to histamine intolerance.

Consuming foods high in histamine like shrimp, fish, cheese, wine, and cured meats overwhelms the system, causing a range of nasty symptoms like hives, headaches, runny nose…and gas with bloating.

So if you have histamine intolerance, which is actually quite common, chowing down on a plate of succulent shrimp can overload your body with histamine and cause gastrointestinal distress.

Difficult to Digest Sugars

Shrimp contains certain complex sugars that are very difficult for some people to properly digest. These sugars include glycogen and chitin, which we learned about earlier.

When your small intestine can’t absorb these sugars, they end up fermenting in your large intestine thanks to the bacteria that live there. This fermentation process leads to gas as a byproduct.

So if your body has a hard time breaking down the unique sugars found in shrimp, you’ll likely experience unwanted gas when you eat them.

Allergic Reactions

Shellfish allergies are one of the most common food allergies among adults. Shrimp allergies in particular are frequently reported. Allergic reactions cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which makes it vulnerable to gas and bloating.

If you have a shrimp allergy, even a minor one, eating shrimp can ignite an allergic response and tummy troubles. People who are allergic to other types of shellfish like lobster are also likely to experience adverse reactions to shrimp.

Individual Sensitivity

While shrimp give certain folks issues, other people digest them just fine with no gassiness at all. Some likely reasons for individual sensitivity and intolerance include:

• Genetic differences in digestive enzymes
• An imbalanced gut microbiome
• Underlying gastrointestinal conditions like IBS or SIBO
• Food sensitivities

So in other words, we all have unique bodies and digestive capabilities. If your individual system struggles to break down and absorb shrimp properly, it’s likely to cause unpleasant digestive side effects like excessive gas.

Tips to Prevent Shrimp Gas

If you love shrimp but want to enjoy it without suffering later, here are some useful tips to prevent it from causing gas:

• Take an over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplement containing amylase, lipase and proteases to improve digestion of shrimp.

• Limit portion sizes to 3-4 oz of shrimp at a time. Moderation is key!

• Opt for wild caught shrimp when possible, as they are lower in histamine than farm raised shrimp.

• Cook shrimp thoroughly to break down the proteins. Don’t overcook though, as this can increase histamine levels.

• Remove the vein/digestive tract from shrimp before cooking to get rid of irritants.

• Pair shrimp with vegetables high in digestive enzymes like pineapple, papaya, mango and kiwi.

• Eat raw, probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt to improve gut health.

• Stay hydrated and avoid soda, alcohol and caffeine when eating shrimp, as dehydration exacerbates gas.

When to See a Doctor

While gas and bloating from shrimp can be normal, excessive gastrointestinal distress may be a sign of a food allergy or underlying condition. See a doctor if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the lips, face or throat
• Hives, rash or severe stomach pain
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Gas and bloating after eating any type of seafood

Getting properly diagnosed can help you find ways to manage shrimp intolerance through dietary changes, supplements or medications. Don’t suffer through seafood-related symptoms in silence.

The Bottom Line

Luckily, there are preventative steps you can take to enjoy moderate amounts of shrimp without unpleasant side effects. Now that you know why shrimp can be the culprit behind your gas woes, you can dig in again without discomfort! Just be sure to listen to your body and see your doctor if significant symptoms persist.