Recent research indicates that lowering sugar and starch intake may significantly ease symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A study involving 155 patients compared two dietary approaches: a sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD) and a Low FODMAP diet. Both diets showed improvements, but the SSRD not only resulted in more weight loss but was also easier for patients to follow, making it a promising choice for IBS management.
Bodil Ohlsson, a professor at Lund University and consultant at Skåne University Hospital, initiated the study after noting a genetic link. A genetic variation that affects the digestion of sugars and starches is more prevalent among IBS patients. Ohlsson explains, “We thought, ‘Let’s try giving these patients less sugar and starch.’”
Dietary Strategies for IBS Management
A few years earlier, Ohlsson led another study with 105 IBS patients. For four weeks, participants followed a diet low in sugar and starch. This diet, known as the starch and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD), required them to avoid not only sweets but also highly processed foods, such as ready-made meals. The results indicated that SSRD significantly alleviated common IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements.
The current study, published in the journal Nutrients, uniquely examines how SSRD stacks up against the established FODMAP diet. The Low FODMAP diet is stricter and involves a detailed list of allowed and forbidden foods, including exclusions for gluten and lactose.
SSRD Emerges as a Viable Option for IBS
Ohlsson and her team began the new study in 2022 to directly compare the effectiveness of SSRD with the Low FODMAP diet. One hundred fifty-five IBS patients were randomly assigned to either the SSRD or the Low FODMAP diet for four weeks. At the start, none of the participants had been on a specific diet and were consuming a typical diet.
Both groups adhered to their respective diets but had flexibility in how often they ate. After four weeks, 75-80% of participants in both groups reported improved IBS symptoms, a result that exceeded Ohlsson’s expectations. Notably, those on the SSRD lost more weight and experienced a more significant reduction in sugar cravings. This finding is encouraging, as IBS patients typically weigh more than individuals without the condition.
“We wouldn’t really even call SSRD a diet. It’s how everyone should eat, not just those with IBS,” Ohlsson states. “Unlike Low FODMAP, SSRD is easy to understand and follow. You can enjoy meals with others, just in smaller portions. If you take it easy on your stomach for most of the week, you can treat yourself a bit on special occasions!”
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