Have you ever noticed your heart racing or fluttering after a meal? Some people experience heart palpitations after eating, and these sensations can be alarming, especially if you live with food allergies or if you’re concerned about your heart health. Understanding what causes heart palpitations after eating can help you take steps to manage these symptoms and know when to seek medical attention.

What Are Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are sensations that feel like your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, pounding, or beating too fast. These feelings can occur in your chest, throat, or neck and might last for just a few seconds or continue for minutes. There are many causes, including stress, anxiety, physical activity, or drinking too much caffeine.

While heart palpitations can sometimes signal an underlying medical condition, such as an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), they are often harmless. Heart palpitations after eating, in fact, are quite common and, most of the time, aren’t anything to worry about. But what causes them? And can you avoid them?

Potential Causes of Heart Palpitations After Eating

Several factors can trigger heart palpitations after eating. Understanding these causes can help you identify your triggers and manage your symptoms effectively.

1. Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food allergies and sensitivities are possible causes of heart palpitations after eating. When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food as harmful and releases chemicals like histamines to protect your body. This immune response can cause symptoms like:

• Increased heart rate
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat

Common food products and ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction include:

• Peanuts and tree nuts
• Fish and shellfish
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Soy

For people with severe food allergies, even a small amount of the allergen can trigger heart palpitations and other symptoms.

Noticing heart palpitations has even helped some MyFoodAllergyTeam members discover an allergen they weren’t previously aware of. “I’ve learned to pay attention to my heart rate before and after eating foods to discover the allergens. Allergens cause increased heart rate after consumption of offending foods,” one member shared.

2. High-Carbohydrate Meals and Blood Sugar Levels

Eating large amounts of carbohydrates can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels, leading to an increased heart rate. This spike is especially noticeable in people with diabetes or insulin resistance. When your blood sugar levels rise rapidly, your body releases insulin to help lower them. This sudden change can trigger palpitations.

3. High-Sodium Foods

Eating foods high in sodium can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which may trigger heart palpitations. High sodium intake can cause the body to retain water, increasing the volume of blood pumping through the body. This extra volume puts additional strain on the heart and can lead to an increased heart rate or palpitations, especially if you have a history of heart problems or hypertension (high blood pressure). Common high-sodium foods include:

• Processed meats (such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats)
• Canned soups and vegetables
• Salty snacks (like chips and pretzels)
• Fast food and restaurant meals

Reducing sodium intake can improve overall heart health, particularly for those with preexisting heart conditions or high blood pressure.

4. Food Additives and Stimulants

Certain foods and beverages contain additives or stimulants that can trigger heart palpitations. For instance:

• Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and many sodas, is a well-known stimulant that can increase heart rate and cause palpitations, especially if you drink a lot of it.
• Alcohol can lead to an irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation, particularly in individuals with existing heart conditions or those who consume large amounts. Alcohol can also increase blood pressure and trigger palpitations, especially after a heavy meal.
• Spicy foods can cause palpitations in some individuals. Spices can increase your body’s metabolic rate and heart rate, which may lead to palpitations, especially if you’re not used to eating spicy food or if you’re more sensitive to its effects.
• Foods that are high in added sugars can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which can lead to a temporary increase in heart rate and trigger palpitations. This is especially true if you are insulin resistant or have diabetes.

4. Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, heart palpitations can be linked to underlying medical conditions. For example, heart conditions like atrial fibrillation (AFib) cause irregular heartbeat. An overactive thyroid also can increase your heart rate and trigger palpitations, especially after you consume caffeine or foods that stimulate the thyroid.

Anemia, which is often caused by low iron levels in your system, can reduce the amount of oxygen your blood carries. This forces your heart to work harder and potentially causes palpitations.

5. Physical and Emotional Factors

Your body’s response to food isn’t solely physical. Emotional factors play a role too. Stress, anxiety, or excitement around eating can increase your heart rate and trigger palpitations. Additionally, eating a large meal can make you feel full and bloated, putting pressure on your diaphragm and heart, which can also lead to palpitations.

Specific Allergens and Heart Palpitations

Some people are allergic to certain foods that trigger an immune response. This response may cause heart palpitations or other heart problems. Common allergens that could cause heart palpitations include:

• Peanuts and peanut butter — These are common allergens that can trigger severe allergic reactions and may cause heart problems in certain individuals.
• Shellfish — Shrimp, crab, and lobster may trigger anaphylaxis, which can lead to heart palpitations and other severe symptoms.
• Dairy — Some people are allergic to proteins found in cow’s milk, which can lead to palpitations.

During an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines and other chemicals, causing inflammation and increased blood flow. This immune response can lead to an increased heart rate and heart palpitations, especially if you have a severe allergy.

When To Seek Medical Attention

While heart palpitations are often harmless, it’s essential to know when to seek medical attention. You should contact your health care provider if you experience:

• Palpitations that last for several minutes or longer
• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fainting or dizziness
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat

These symptoms could indicate a severe allergic reaction or other medical emergencies, such as a heart attack. Seeking assistance right away can help prevent complications.

Managing Heart Palpitations After Eating

If you frequently experience heart palpitations after eating, keeping a food diary can help you identify potential triggers. By tracking what you eat and noting any symptoms, you can identify patterns and avoid foods that cause palpitations. Also, consider the following tips:

• Avoid known allergens — If you have a known food allergy, try to stay away from the allergen and be cautious when eating out or trying new foods.
• Monitor your diet — Pay attention to your salt and sugar intake. Try to incorporate foods that are rich in potassium, like bananas and avocados.
• Limit stimulants — Reduce your caffeine and alcohol consumption, as these can increase your heart rate and trigger palpitations.
• Contact your health care provider — If you continue to experience heart palpitations or have concerns about your heart health, it’s important to get in touch with your health care provider. They can recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe medications, or refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation.

Experiencing heart palpitations after eating can be concerning, especially if you have food allergies or other underlying conditions. Understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek medical attention can help you manage your symptoms and maintain your heart health. If you experience heart palpitations after eating, it can’t hurt to talk to a health care provider to rule out any serious conditions and receive personalized advice.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyFoodAllergyTeam is the social network for people with food allergies and their loved ones. On MyFoodAllergyTeam, more than 41,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with food allergies.

Do you have a food allergy and experience heart palpitations after eating? Have you found out which foods or conditions are triggering your heart palpitations? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.