Archive · 10 Jun 2025
Mediterranean Diet May Ease IBS Symptoms
Do you have tummy troubles?
You might have IBS, a common problem.
Doctors are checking if a special eating plan called the Mediterranean diet can help.
It's like the low FODMAP diet, but easier to follow because you can eat more foods.
A study showed that the Mediterranean diet worked almost as well as the low FODMAP diet.
People who ate this way felt better after a few weeks.
The Mediterranean diet includes lots of yummy foods like fruits, veggies, and olive oil.
If you have IBS, talking to your doctor about this diet might be a good idea!
IBS is a common digestive condition.
The study compared the Mediterranean diet with the low FODMAP diet for IBS.
Both diets provided relief from IBS symptoms in the study.
73% of the Mediterranean diet group reported pain relief after four weeks.
Researchers suggest the Mediterranean diet may be a more sustainable option.
- Who
- Researchers led by Dr. Prashant Singh and Dr. William Chey, involving 20 IBS patients.
- What
- A study compared the Mediterranean diet and low FODMAP diet for IBS.
- When
- The study lasted four weeks.
- Where
- University of Michigan
- Why
- To find a more manageable dietary approach for people with IBS.
Mediterranean Diet
Low FODMAP Diet
Dietary Approach
Mediterranean Diet
Can be difficult to maintain due to food restrictions, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies.
Low FODMAP Diet
Effective at symptom relief.
Food Guidelines
Mediterranean Diet
Encourages fresh foods and offers a balanced approach to eating.
Low FODMAP Diet
Requires strict avoidance of many foods, including certain fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
- Digestive condition affecting many
- Diets compared in the study
- Mediterranean diet and low FODMAP diet
- Number of IBS patients in the study
- 20
- Duration of the study
- Four weeks
- Mediterranean diet group reporting pain relief
- 73%
- Low FODMAP group reporting pain relief
- 82%
- Foods encouraged in the Mediterranean diet
- Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, poultry
- What does FODMAP stand for?
- Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols