Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition affecting about 1 in 10 people globally. A recent study suggests that dietary interventions may be more effective in reducing symptoms of IBS compared to medical treatments. The study, conducted in Sweden, compared the efficacy of two diet-based treatments and a pharmaceutical treatment in adults with moderate to severe IBS symptoms. Both diets and medication led to significant reductions in symptom severity, with the diet-based treatments proving to be more effective. A low FODMAP diet along with traditional IBS dietary advice showed the most effectiveness in managing symptoms.
A low FODMAP diet is a diet that includes foods low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. This type of diet is often associated with improved gastrointestinal health. Six months after the participants had partially resumed normal eating patterns, the majority still reported meaningful improvements in symptoms. The study involved 294 participants, mostly women, with moderate-to-severe IBS, who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a low FODMAP diet, a high-fiber low-carbohydrate diet, or pharmaceutical treatment tailored to their specific symptoms. The participants were unaware of their diet types, but those in the medication group knew their treatment.
Following the 4-week intervention, all groups experienced a significant decrease in IBS symptoms, with the low FODMAP diet group showing the most improvement. Even after partially returning to their normal diets during the 6-month follow-up, a large percentage of participants in the diet groups continued to experience significant relief from symptoms. Traditional dietary recommendations included consuming regular meals and snacks, chewing foods thoroughly, and limiting common IBS triggers. The low FODMAP diet included foods like rice, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy products.
A registered dietitian emphasized the benefits of a low FODMAP diet for IBS, as it reduces fermentable carbohydrates that cause gas and bloating, improving stool consistency. A high-fiber, low-carb diet was also noted for promoting a healthier balance of gut bacteria, potentially helping with IBS symptoms. The study is the first to test the combined low FODMAP and traditional IBS diet, assess a low-carb diet’s effectiveness for IBS, and compare these dietary approaches to standard medical treatments. All interventions in the study showed improvements in quality of life and non-gastrointestinal somatic symptoms.
While all participants in the study experienced benefits, the study had a limited duration, and participants were aware they were being studied, which may have influenced their reporting of improvements. Experts suggest that dietary interventions may have potential long-term benefits over medications for managing IBS symptoms, as they can help patients pinpoint specific trigger foods and improve overall understanding of nutrition. Working with a registered dietitian is recommended to create a nutritionally adequate and varied diet that is as unrestricted as possible, contributing to long-term maintenance of well-being. More research is needed to understand the effects of dietary interventions on nutritional status and the gut microbiome to enhance IBS management strategies.