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Irritable bowel syndrome: associations between FODMAPS intake, problematic foods, adiposity, and gastrointestinal symptoms

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 637–641 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

This study investigated the association between fermentable oligo-di-mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) intake, problematic foods, body adiposity, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 44 women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Around 84% reported to have excluded some food from their diet. Adiposity was not associated with the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and IBS severity. Controlling for BMI, there were significant correlations between number of problematic foods versus waist circumference (r = 0.306; p = 0.049) and protein intake (r = −0.378; p = 0.014). The IBS severity correlated to the carbohydrate intake (r = −0.320; p = 0.039). Patients with diarrhea demonstrated statistical tendency to restrict the intake of fat (p = 0.058), free fructose (p = 0.07), and oligosaccharides (p = 0.051). Patients with mucus in the stool had higher lactose intake (p = 0.025). The number of food considered problematic was higher for patients who reported stomach burning (p = 0.0001). Associations among adiposity, gastrointestinal symptoms, problematic food, and FODMAPs were identified and reaffirm the role of individualized nutritional treatment in the management of IBS.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the support given by FAPESP and by the University of Campinas. The authors thank Espaço da Escrita – Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa - UNICAMP - for the language services provided.

Funding

São Paulo Research Foundation—FAPESP supported the present study, process no. 15/24918-2 and 15/24920-7.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 1300 Pedro Zaccaria Street, 13484350, Limeira, Sao Paulo, Brazil

      Isabela Solar, Larissa Ariel Oliveira Santos, Luciana Miyuki Yamashita & Ana Carolina Junqueira Vasques

    2. Department of Gastroenterology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

      Jacqueline S. Barret

    3. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

      Cristiane Kibune Nagasako & Ciro Garcia Montes

    4. Nutrition Service of Medical Specialties Clinic, Limeira, Brazil

      Marcela Lanzoni Louzada & Marcela Silva Calsa

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    1. Isabela Solar
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    2. Larissa Ariel Oliveira Santos
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    3. Luciana Miyuki Yamashita
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    4. Jacqueline S. Barret
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    5. Cristiane Kibune Nagasako
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    6. Ciro Garcia Montes
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    7. Marcela Lanzoni Louzada
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    8. Marcela Silva Calsa
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    9. Ana Carolina Junqueira Vasques
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    Correspondence to Isabela Solar.

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    The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    These authors contributed equally: Isabela Solar, Larissa Ariel Oliveira Santos.

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    Solar, I., Santos, L.A.O., Yamashita, L.M. et al. Irritable bowel syndrome: associations between FODMAPS intake, problematic foods, adiposity, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 637–641 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0331-7

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0331-7

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