Avocados are fruits rich in plenty of essential nutrients, including healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. But what does it mean if the creamy, delicious fruit causes stomach issues? Below, learn the reasons why avocado can lead to digestive distress — and who should avoid them for better gut health.
Can Avocado Irritate Your Stomach?
The benefits of avocado are seemingly endless. They have oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that can reduce your risk of heart disease, and contain antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which help improve eye health. They may even help support a healthy blood pressure, thanks to their potassium and magnesium content.
But for some people, avocados might be the reason behind stomach irritation, says Daniel Motola, MD, a gastroenterologist at CareMount Medical in Mount Kisco, New York. If you have an intolerance to some of its key nutrients or are allergic to the fruit, avocado consumption can result in digestive distress. Here are some specific reasons why.
1. You Could Be FODMAP-Intolerant
Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) are sugars that are potentially poorly absorbed in the intestine. These sugars ferment during digestion, leading to the buildup of gas, bloating, and discomfort for some. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), for example, may have to limit or avoid FODMAPs in their diet to reduce symptoms.
In the past, avocado was thought to contain sorbitol — a polyol also found in things like peaches, honey, and sugarless chewing gum. But recently, researchers tested avocados and found that they are actually low in sorbitol and high in another sugar alcohol called perseitol, which can also upset your stomach.
Other foods high in FODMAPs include:
Onions
Garlic
Apples
Pears
Cherries
Artichokes
Red kidney beans
Soft cheeses, milk, and yogurt
If you think FODMAPs might be an issue for you, reach out to your doctor to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options. Your provider may suggest cutting back on FODMAP-rich foods, and avocado specifically, to see if it helps ease your stomach issues.
2. You Could Have a Hypersensitivity
If you have a latex allergy, it’s possible that you also have a hypersensitivity to avocado. This is a condition called latex fruit syndrome. Turns out, approximately 30 to 50 percent of people who are allergic to natural rubber latex also have a hypersensitivity to certain foods, such as bananas, kiwis, chestnuts, and avocado.
This hypersensitivity is different from a FODMAP intolerance because it does not involve the fermentation process in the gut. But it can still cause gut issues like nausea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. Hypersensitivities may also involve an immune system response (an allergic-like reaction).
If you’re having trouble telling the difference between an intolerance, latex fruit syndrome, or a full-blown allergy to avocado, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to discuss your symptoms and get more information.
3. You Could Be Allergic
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between an avocado intolerance versus an allergy, but Dr. Motola says there are key factors that can help you tell them apart. For one, “allergies invoke the immune system; digestive intolerances have nothing to do with that,” he says.
A food intolerance will cause digestive issues — like constipation, diarrhea, or gas — that might not manifest for several hours, while an allergic reaction triggers more immediate symptoms like flushing, hives, or swelling of the lips and throat.
If you believe you might be allergic to avocado and are having a severe reaction, go to the emergency room for immediate medical attention. Then, follow up with your primary care doctor, who will likely refer you to an allergist for further testing.
Who Should Avoid Avocados?
If you have chronic bouts of diarrhea or other severe reactions after eating, Motola recommends seeing a doctor. This could be a sign of a more serious underlying gut health issue, like IBS, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If this is your case, you might benefit from limiting or removing avocados from your diet.
Additionally, if you get stomach cramping, diarrhea, hives, itchiness, or swelling right after eating avocado, this could be a sign of an intolerance or allergy, which means you’ll likely have to limit your avocado intake.
If you need to remove avocados from your diet, but would like a tasty substitute that’s similar in texture and nutritional value, try spreading pesto, hummus, silken tofu, or edamame mash on sliced toast or mixing them into your favorite meals.
The Takeaway
Avocados are a healthy source of fats, fiber, and antioxidants, but they can cause an upset stomach for some people.
You might get an upset stomach after eating avocado if you have a FODMAP intolerance, if you have latex fruit syndrome, or if you’re allergic to avocado.
Symptoms of an avocado intolerance or allergy include diarrhea, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, or hives, facial swelling, itching, and shortness of breath or wheezing, in severe cases.
Talk to your doctor if avocado upsets your stomach — they may want to run tests to rule out allergies, IBS, or IBD.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Hendley J. Avocado Nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes. Harvard Health Publishing. June 16, 2025.
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press.She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.
