Weeks after a widespread Cyclospora outbreak sickened thousands across the United States, a new digestive issue is emerging: painful constipation. Health experts attribute this unexpected side effect to individuals altering their diets to avoid fresh produce, a common source of the parasite.
The parasite Cyclospora, which caused an outbreak of explosive diarrhea earlier in the summer, led many Americans to cut fruits and vegetables from their meals out of fear of infection. This dietary shift has resulted in a significant decrease in fiber intake, a crucial component for healthy bowel movements.
"When you go from eating salads and fruit regularly to cutting it out completely, your fiber intake takes a significant hit and this can impact your bowel movements," said Dr. Rabia de Latour, a gastroenterologist. "When you deprive your gastrointestinal tract of the fiber, this can result in constipation and harder, difficult to pass stools."
In some severe cases, stools can become smaller and assume a shape compared to "rabbit pellets." The primary source of the summer outbreak was traced to tainted iceberg lettuce supplied to chains like Taco Bell by Taylor Farms de Mexico, with contaminated greens also found in bagged salad kits at major retailers. Taylor Farms recalled the affected lettuce in July.
Cyclospora is known for its resistance to disinfectants and inability to be easily rinsed away, often requiring food to be cooked to at least 158°F to be killed. This made many people hesitant to consume any fresh produce.
"Many of them spent weeks avoiding almost all fruits and vegetables," de Latour noted. "If you were to make a large adjustment to your diet, results could be seen in this similar time frame [24 to 72 hours]."
While the source lettuce is no longer in circulation, leading to an expected drop in new Cyclospora cases, a residual fear of contamination persists. De Latour advises those concerned about produce to consider spinach, whole heads of iceberg lettuce from farmers markets, and to thoroughly wash all produce. She also recommends avoiding other foods historically linked to cyclosporiasis, such as snow peas, raspberries, parsley, and cilantro.
For those experiencing constipation, reintroducing fiber-rich foods gradually, along with adequate water intake, should help regulate bowel movements within 24 to 72 hours. If symptoms persist, medical attention is advised to rule out other potential causes beyond dietary changes.