Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

The notion that whole grains or bran are good for IBS is historically the advice that was given to manage spastic colon - now called IBS. In the 1990 IBS researchers began to look at the role of fiber and IBS particularly the role of whole grains.

One of the first studies to look at the role of bran was published in the Lancet in 1994 titled Bran and irritable bowel syndrome: time for reappraisal.. This was followed by a 1998 study published in the journal Nutrition titled Bran: may irritate irritable bowel. There have been a number of other studies since then that have confirmed that whole grains can exacerbate IBS in some individuals.

In 2007 the British GI Society published Guidelines on the irritable bowel syndrome: mechanisms and practical management. In these guidelines they say "Fruit and vegetable contain substantial amounts of both soluble (pectins, hemicelluloses) and insoluble (cellulose, lignin) nonstarch polysaccharide commonly referred to under the umbrella term ''fibre'', while cereals and especially bran contains mainly insoluble fibre. Although the commonest dietary recommendation made to patients with IBS is to increase the intake of dietary fibre, with particular emphasis on cereal bran, there are few data to support this approach. A survey based on secondary care patients actually suggested that cereal fibre makes the symptoms worse in around 55% of cases, with only 11% reporting any benefit. Other forms of fibre, especially the soluble varieties, were not so detrimental." It goes on to say "A recent systematic review of 17 clinical trials concluded that the benefits of fibre in IBS were marginal and that insoluble fibre can make the condition worse."

I hope this helps

--------------------
STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator