Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jun 1: A team of US researchers has discovered that the Mediterranean diet may help ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), offering a less restrictive alternative to traditional dietary treatments.

IBS affects 4-11 per cent of the global population, with many patients preferring dietary changes over medication. The widely recommended low FODMAP diet often shows results but is difficult to maintain due to its restrictive nature.

In a recent study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility, researchers from Michigan Medicine compared the low FODMAP diet with the Mediterranean diet. Participants were divided into two groups, with 73 per cent in the Mediterranean group showing symptom improvement, compared to 81.8 per cent in the low FODMAP group.

“Restrictive diets like low FODMAP can be hard to follow and may cause nutrient deficiencies,” said Dr Prashant Singh, lead author and gastroenterologist at Michigan Medicine. “The Mediterranean diet, being less restrictive, overcomes many of these challenges.”

Already known for its cardiovascular and general health benefits, the Mediterranean diet has shown potential as a viable dietary approach for IBS, though previous findings were mixed.

“This study adds to growing evidence that the Mediterranean diet could be an effective and sustainable choice for managing IBS symptoms,” said Dr William Chey, chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan.