Research Overview

A recent study conducted by researchers at Michigan Medicine has revealed that the Mediterranean diet may help alleviate symptoms in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This investigation, published in the journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility, emphasizes the dietary approach as a feasible alternative for symptom management in IBS.

Study Design

The study involved participants who were randomly assigned to one of two dietary groups: the Mediterranean diet or the low FODMAP diet, which is commonly used to manage IBS symptoms. Among those following the Mediterranean diet, 73% demonstrated a significant improvement in symptoms, compared to 81.8% in the low FODMAP group. IBS affects approximately 4% to 11% of the population, and many patients prefer dietary changes over medication.

Low FODMAP Diet Challenges

While the low FODMAP diet is effective for many, it is often challenging to maintain due to its restrictive nature. Previous research at Michigan Medicine has explored alternative dietary strategies, including a simplified version of the FODMAP diet, which aims to limit only the food groups most likely to provoke symptoms.

Advantages of the Mediterranean Diet

Prashant Singh, a gastroenterologist at Michigan Medicine and the lead author of the study, highlighted the drawbacks of restrictive diets like low FODMAP, including potential nutrient deficiencies and the risk of disordered eating patterns. The Mediterranean diet, in contrast, does not require the elimination of food groups and may address some of the limitations associated with low FODMAP diets.

Study Findings

In this pilot study, participants followed either the Mediterranean diet or the initial phase of the low FODMAP diet for four weeks. The primary outcome measured was a 30% reduction in abdominal pain intensity, a standard established by the FDA. The participants were diagnosed with either IBS-D (predominantly diarrhea) or IBS-M (mixed symptoms).

Results and Implications

Although the Mediterranean diet provided symptom relief, the low FODMAP group reported greater improvements in both abdominal pain intensity and overall symptom severity. Despite this, the encouraging results from the pilot study, which included 20 participants, suggest that further larger-scale trials are warranted to evaluate the Mediterranean diet's effectiveness as a dietary intervention for IBS.

Future Research Directions

William Chey, the chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and a senior author of the study, noted the growing body of evidence supporting the Mediterranean diet as a potential dietary intervention for IBS. He emphasized the need for further studies to assess the long-term effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet compared to the sustained outcomes associated with the reintroduction and personalization phases of the low FODMAP diet.