Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for IBD, there are treatments available to help manage symptoms. However, a new study has found that a certain type of fiber may actually make IBD symptoms worse. This study provides important insight into the role of dietary fiber in IBD and could help inform future treatments.
This Fiber May Make IBD Symptoms Worse, Says New Study
A new study has found that a certain type of dietary fiber may worsen symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The findings, published in the journal Gastroenterology, suggest that people with IBD should be cautious when consuming foods that contain this type of fiber.
IBD is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. It is characterized by inflammation of the intestines, which can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms. While the exact cause of IBD is unknown, diet is thought to play a role in its development and progression.
In the new study, researchers looked at the effects of a type of dietary fiber called fructans on IBD symptoms. Fructans are found in a variety of foods, including wheat, onions, garlic, and artichokes.
The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 people with IBD. They found that those who consumed the most fructans were more likely to experience worsening of their IBD symptoms. Specifically, they were more likely to have increased abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
The findings suggest that people with IBD should be cautious when consuming foods that contain fructans. However, the researchers caution that more research is needed to confirm their findings.
“Our findings suggest that fructans may worsen IBD symptoms,” said lead author Dr. David Rubin. “However, further research is needed to understand the exact mechanism by which this occurs.”
Anyone who deals with gut issues knows that they can be annoying, uncomfortable, and downright painful at times. That might be something that you know well due to the fact that 12% of those living in the United States have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Another common disorder affecting the digestive tract is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which about 60 to 70 million residents of the United States face. The two types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which involve chronic inflammation issues.
Fortunately, there are certain things that you can do to help improve the state of your gut if you have IBD, including avoiding foods that might make the situation worse. That’s why you might be interested to find out that a specific kind of fiber does just that, according to a new study.
Read on to learn more about this new study on gut health and fiber, and for more health tips check out 4 Best Morning Drinking Habits To Support Gut Health.
What the study found
The study, which was published in Gastroenterology and involved researchers from the University of Manitoba and the University of Alberta, analyzed the results of tests, including colonic biopsies, that had been done on participants who have IBD. Their aim was to determine how various kinds of fiber might affect the body of someone with IBD.
The results showed that participants with IBD were not able to properly digest unfermented dietary β-fructan fibers. On top of that, the unfermented dietary β-fructan fibers intensified the participants’ IBD symptoms by causing inflammation.
“The findings of this study may help to move nutritional guidance to patients on a more personalized, individualized basis—what the authors refer to as ‘precision nutrition,’” says Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND, senior director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife Nutrition. “We are moving away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to managing those with IBS or IBD, and this information provides more insight into the effects that specific types of dietary fibers may have in certain individuals with these symptoms.”
When it comes to unfermented dietary β-fructan fibers, Bowerman explains that “since Beta fructans are found in many healthy foods, there is no reason that everyone should avoid them.” However, “for those who have gut issues, it may make sense to avoid those foods with Beta fructans and determine if avoidance improves symptoms.”
Which foods contain this type of fiber?
If you have gut issues and feel like you may need to cut potentially problematic fiber out of your diet, Bowerman says that “Avoiding Beta fructans means avoiding specific foods that contain them: grapefruit, bananas, dates, prunes, foods in the onion family, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and certain grains, beans and nuts.”
If that sounds like a lot, it is. That’s why Bowerman also points out “That because Beta fructans are widespread in foods, consultation with a registered dietitian who specializes in digestive disorders would be valuable in order to ensure that a balanced diet will still be consumed after you remove these fiber-heavy foods.”
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