Is Soda Pop an IBS Trigger?

• Yes! The only safe ingredient in soda pop is the water.
  
  
• Most sodas are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Fructose, or fruit sugar, is a very poorly digested simple carbohydrate, also known as a FODMAP. (What's a FODMAP?)
  
  
• Fructose can cause cramps, spasms, bloating, gas, and diarrhea in people who don't even have IBS. Imagine what it can do to you.
  
  
• Is diet soda a safer bet? Nope.
  
  
• Artificial sweeteners are even worse. Splenda, NutraSweet, Equal, saccharine, sorbitol, and all other artificial sweeteners can trigger GI distress and IBS symptoms.
  
  
• Many soda pops also contain caffeine, which is a GI stimulant. Caffeine can cause urgency, cramps, diarrhea, and rebound constipation.
  
  
• Adding insult to injury, soda pop is carbonated. Carbonation can cause or increase gas and bloating, or trigger intestinal spasms.
  
  
• Unhappy at the thought of going fizz-free? It just might be easier - and more delicious - than you'd expect.
  
  
• As always with IBS, the best plan is substitution, not deprivation.
  
  
• Get quick IBS safe drink suggestions.
  
  
• Find a whole chapter of beverages in the IBS-friendly cookbook, for great ideas and safe drink recipes.
  
  

Tip Takeaway: There's no such thing as a safe soda pop. If I had to actually create a deadly-for-IBS drink, I'd invent something just like it!

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