There is no cure for IBS. The symptoms of the condition can be distressing and disruptive, but finding effective ways to manage diarrhea, constipation, and other IBS symptoms can improve a person’s quality of life.
Before trying medication to treat their symptoms, many people with IBS will make change their diet and lifestyle, like reducing stress and getting physically active, to see if it helps.
If you have IBS, making changes to what you eat might be one of the first things that you try to manage the condition. Keep in mind that each person with IBS will respond differently to certain foods—some of which might trigger symptoms while others may help alleviate them.
While these six foods are dietician-recommended if you’re making changes to your diet to try to better manage IBS, ultimately, you should follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider.
Cranberry
According to a study published in PLoS One, a compound called salicylate—which is naturally found in cranberry products like cranberry juice—decreases the amount of potentially gas-producing bacteria and increases the amount of certain healthy gut bacteria that support digestive health.
One of those potentially gas-producing bacteria is E. coli, which is more prevalent in the guts of people with IBS compared to people who do not have the condition.
Cranberry has also been shown to reduce rates of H. pylori infection, a bacteria that can cause gut pain and inflammation.
The results of a clinical trial published in the Journal of Gastroenterology looked at adults in China. One group of adults drank a 240 milliliter serving of cranberry juice that contained 44 milligrams of proanthocyanidins (or “PACs”) for eight weeks. The other group of adults received a placebo.
The results showed that the rate of H. pylori infection in the adults who drank the PAC-containing cranberry juice was 20% lower compared to the rate in the group who drank a placebo. However, more research is needed to see if the effect would be seen in other populations.
Baked and Boiled Potatoes
Some people with IBS find cooked potatoes are easy to digest, which is good news because baked or boiled potatoes are a natural source of nutrients like potassium.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, cranberries are suitable for a low-FODMAP diet.
In a 2007 study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, researchers found that non-fried potatoes were well-tolerated in people managing IBS compared to other foods.
Depending on how well a person with IBS tolerates fiber, the skin of the potato may need to be removed before it’s cooked.
Salmon
Research has shown that inflammation might play a role in the development of IBS. Studies have also shown that dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce chronic inflammation.
If you eat fish, omega 3-rich choices like salmon can be a healthful and tasty addition to your diet and may even help reduce IBS-related gut inflammation.
No-Sugar-Added Yogurt
While some people with IBS have digestive challenges when consuming dairy products, there is no conclusive link between IBS and milk protein or lactose intolerance.
If someone with IBS tolerates dairy products, plain and unsweetened Greek yogurt is a nutritious dietary addition. Greek yogurt contains live probiotics—bacteria that offer many health benefits, including for gut health.
Some researchers have theorized that IBS is associated with small-bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Therefore, ensuring that the gut is supplied with ample “good” bacteria can be useful in the treatment of IBS.
The exact mechanism for how probiotics might help reduce the symptoms of IBS is unknown, but the effects of probiotics on gut bacteria appear to play a role.
100% Orange Juice and Oranges
Citrus, like oranges and 100% orange juice, are considered low FODMAP. A glass of 100% OJ (not a drink with added sugars) gives your body a boost of key nutrients like vitamin C and folate.
Research has also shown that drinking 100% orange juice is associated with reduced inflammation, which might also help your IBS symptoms.
Cooked Greens
Including cooked greens in your diet, like spinach, kale, and collards, in your diet can help support a healthy gut microflora. Some people with IBS can tolerate raw veggies just fine, but if they worsen your symptoms, cooking them can help.
When preparing your greens, you might want to avoid spicy ingredients like hot pepper flakes, which can trigger symptoms in some people with IBS.
