One diet much better at beating bowel problems than drugs, study shows

Eating the right foods - and avoiding the wrong ones - can be a more effective way of managing a debilitating bowel condition than taking drugs, according to health experts. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the large intestine, causing abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, constipation and mucus in your stools.

Now a recent study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, has found that one diet was better than drugs at managing the condition and its symptoms. The study involved nearly 300 patients suffering from IBS, who were divided into three groups.

The first group was put on a Low FODMAP diet - cutting down on foods such as wheat, onions and chocolate. The second group was on a diet low in sugar, but high in proteins, fat, and fibre - including meat, fish, eggs and vegetables.

The last group used medication to control the symptoms. Patients in both groups put on a diet saw a reduction in the severity of their symptoms of more than 70%, compared to 58% for patients treated with medication.

Drugs usually prescribed for IBS include fibre supplements, laxatives, anti-diarrheal medications, antispasmodics, and antidepressants.

Doctor Martin Ducret told FranceInfo: "Professor Frank Zerbib, head of the hepato-gastroenterology department at Bordeaux University Hospital, confirmed this study demonstrates that a diet gives better results than medication. A diet should therefore be recommended as a first-line treatment for patients who still present troubling symptoms, despite adopting healthy lifestyle habits: eating a balanced diet, slowly, and at set times, limiting alcohol and coffee, practising regular physical activity, having a long get enough sleep and avoid stress."

Professor Zerbib recommends only adopting the Low FODMAP diet for up to six weeks at a time, as it is hard to maintain and can result in deficiencies in some nutrients. After the six weeks patients can gradually reintroduce foods to see if they react badly to them.

High-FODMAP Foods to Avoid

• Fruits: Apples, pears, cherries, watermelon.

• Vegetables: Onions, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms.

• Dairy: Milk, soft cheeses, yoghurt.

• Grains: Wheat-based products like bread, pasta, and cereals.

• Legumes: Beans, lentils, chickpeas.

• Sweeteners: High fructose corn syrup, honey, artificial sweeteners like sorbitol and mannitol.

Low-FODMAP Foods to Enjoy

• Fruits: Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, oranges.

• Vegetables: Carrots, spinach, zucchini, bell peppers.

• Dairy alternatives: Lactose-free milk, almond milk, hard cheeses.

• Grains: Rice, oats, quinoa, gluten-free bread.

• Proteins: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs.

• Sweeteners: Maple syrup, table sugar, artificial sweeteners like aspartame and stevia.

FODMAP stands for "Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols." These are types of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can ferment in the gut, causing symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

Oligosaccharides: Found in foods like wheat, rye, onions, and garlic. Disaccharides: Found in foods like milk, yoghurt, and soft cheese (lactose). Monosaccharides: Found in foods like apples, honey, and high fructose corn syrup (fructose). Polyols: Found in foods like stone fruits (e.g., cherries, avocados), and certain artificial sweeteners (e.g., sorbitol, mannitol).