What is FODMAP?

What is FODMAP?

Our expert explains how low FODMAP diet can help in the treatment of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

FODMAP diet and health

FODMAPs contain a series of short-chain carbohydrates which include –

Fructose (simple sugars found in fruits, vegetables) Lactose (milk sugar found in dairy products) Fructans (found in grains rich in gluten such as wheat, barley, rye) Galactans (found in legumes) Polyols (Found in fruits and vegetables and also used as sweeteners)

When these carbohydrates pass through the intestine, the gut bacteria feed on it and produce hydrogen after the degradation of FODMAPs. This gas (hydrogen) leads to various stomach problems such as flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps and constipation.

Low-FODMAP Diet and IBS

A 2016 study published in the Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology [1] has revealed that low FODMAP helps in the treatment of IBS. Although the exact cause of IBS is still not known, low FODMAP diet not only showed improvement in the symptoms but also improvement in the quality of life for people suffering from IBS. Not just functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), a low FODMAP diet is effective for people with Crohn’s diseaseand ulcerative colitis, types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

As FODMAPs are responsible for bloating, flatulence and cramps, having a low FODMAP diet causes less gas production and bloating. It also lowers your risk of diarrhoea, constipation and prevents stomach pain caused due to the production of hydrogen. You need an expert dietician who will either substitute high FODMAP foods with low FODMAP options or reduce the intake of total FODMAP load for every meal. In some cases, you can even be asked to restrict FODMAPs for 8 weeks or until symptomatic control is achieved. Once you show an improvement in the condition, then small amounts of FODMAPs can be re-introduced to the diet. Here’s more on diet tips and meal plan for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

References:

Nanayakkara WS, Skidmore PM, O’Brien L, Wilkinson TJ, Gearry RB. Efficacy of the low FODMAP diet for treating irritable bowel syndrome: the evidence to date. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2016 Jun 17;9:131-42. doi: 10.2147/CEG.S86798. eCollection 2016. Review. PubMed PMID: 27382323; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4918736.

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