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WASHINGTON, June 1 — A new study by researchers at Michigan Medicine has found that the Mediterranean diet may provide significant relief for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), potentially offering a less restrictive and more sustainable alternative to traditional dietary treatments.
IBS, a chronic gastrointestinal disorder affecting an estimated 4–11% of the global population, is often managed through dietary changes rather than medication. The most widely recommended approach, the low FODMAP diet, has shown effectiveness but is challenging for many patients to maintain due to its restrictive nature and potential for nutrient deficiencies.
In the study, published in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility, participants with IBS were randomly assigned to follow either the Mediterranean diet or the low FODMAP diet for four weeks. The results were promising: 73% of those on the Mediterranean diet reported improvement in their symptoms, compared to 81.8% in the low FODMAP group. While the low FODMAP diet led to slightly higher rates of symptom relief, the Mediterranean diet was praised for being easier to follow and less likely to cause nutritional imbalances.
“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”.
The Mediterranean diet, already renowned for its cardiovascular and general health benefits, emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, healthy fats such as olive oil, and moderate fish and poultry intake. Previous research into its effectiveness for IBS has produced mixed results, but this new randomized controlled trial is among the first to directly compare it with another established dietary intervention.
Dr. William Chey, chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and senior author of the study, commented, “This study adds to a growing body of evidence which suggests that a Mediterranean diet might be a useful addition to the menu of evidence-based dietary interventions for patients with IBS”.
Researchers note that while the Mediterranean diet did not outperform the low FODMAP diet in this small pilot study, its accessibility and lower risk of nutritional deficiencies make it a promising option for many patients. They recommend larger, long-term studies to confirm these findings and further explore the diet’s potential in IBS management.
Disclaimer: The findings reported here are based on a small, preliminary study and should not replace individualized medical advice. Patients with IBS should consult their healthcare provider before making significant changes to their diet or treatment plan.
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