Adopting either a low “FODMAP” diet or one that was low in carbohydrates but still high in fibre relieved IBS symptoms more effectively than medication over a four-week trial
By Clare Wilson
18 April 2024
Cutting out some types of food – and eating more of others – could ease irritable bowel syndrome
Aamulya/Getty Images
Two kinds of diet seem to work better than taking medication in addressing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a trial has found.
One diet was designed to be low in “FODMAPs”, a group of sugars and similar carbohydrates found in dairy, wheat and certain fruits and vegetables. The second was a less common approach used for IBS: an adapted low-carb diet that is high in fibre but low in all other kinds of carbohydrates, namely sugar and starch.
In a randomised trial, both diets led to better improvements in symptoms than standard treatment with medicines after four weeks.
Advertisement
Read more
Low-carb diets: An easy way to lose weight or recipe for heart attack?
IBS can cause a puzzling range of symptoms, including diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, which can wax and wane over time. The root cause of the condition is unclear.
The usual advice is to avoid common triggers, such as caffeine, alcohol or spicy food. People may also take symptomatic treatments, such as laxatives for constipation or medication for diarrhoea.