DATE
February 2, 2026
CATEGORY
Blog
SHARE
For decades, patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a identified food ingestion as a primary trigger of symptoms, yet this remained clinically underexplored. While classical food allergies play a minimal role, food intolerances particularly to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) are now recognized as common contributors. Although the low FODMAP diet is evidence-backed, its complexity and adherence challenges have spurred interest in alternative dietary approaches, such as the Mediterranean diet.
A recent randomized trial from the University of Sheffield assigned 139 Rome IV-defined IBS patients to either traditional dietary advice or a Mediterranean diet for six weeks. Results showed significantly greater clinical response rates (62% vs. 42%) and greater reduction in IBS symptom severity scores (−101.2 vs. −64.5) in the Mediterranean diet group, irrespective of IBS subtype.
While longer-term studies are needed, these findings position the Mediterranean diet—emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and olive oil—as a viable, health-promoting option in IBS management. Future research should compare it directly with the low FODMAP diet and clarify its mechanism, which may involve anti-inflammatory or microbiome-modulating effects.
To read more, visit World Gastroenterology Organisation