Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system, causing stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea. It is usually a lifelong condition
Adopting a particular type of diet could help relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, a study has discovered. The Mediterranean diet, packed with fruit, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, nuts, fish and olive oil, might be a “simple, enjoyable and highly effective first step” in tackling the widespread condition, scientists said.
IBS impacts the digestive system, triggering stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea. It’s typically a lifelong condition, though it can be controlled through lifestyle modifications and medication.
Dietary adjustments are normally the first line of treatment, with sufferers told to avoid missing meals, boost fruit and vegetable consumption and cut down on fatty, spicy, processed foods, caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol. Scientists at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust examined how this conventional guidance stacked up against the Mediterranean diet.
Dr Imran Aziz, senior clinical lecturer in gastroenterology at the University of Sheffield, said: “For millions of people worldwide, IBS symptoms can severely impact daily life.”
The study involved 139 people living with IBS, with 68 adopting the Mediterranean diet for six weeks and 71 sticking to traditional dietary guidance. Both groups participated in 30-minute online education sessions about their diets and received supporting information via email.
The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, discovered that a whopping 62% of those following the Mediterranean diet saw a significant improvement in their symptoms compared to just 42% in the other group.
Dr Aziz said: “Our study provides strong evidence that the Mediterranean diet can be a simple, enjoyable and highly effective first step in managing this common condition. The Mediterranean diet was found to be not just as good as traditional dietary advice, but actually significantly better at reducing symptoms.
“Using a Mediterranean diet as an initial treatment also potentially simplifies care for both patients and healthcare providers. These findings will inform future guidelines for the management of IBS.”