The Rome IV process identifies five bowel disorders, with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC) being the most common. Food is often a key trigger for gastrointestinal symptoms, making diet manipulation a common first treatment step. Dietary strategies for IBS and FC include general advice, fiber supplementation, the low FODMAP diet (LFD), and other interventions. While general dietary advice from NICE is widely used, the LFD has shown better results, especially for IBS with diarrhea.

The low FODMAP diet is effective in relieving IBS symptoms like pain and bloating by restricting poorly absorbed high FODMAP foods. Although beneficial, its restrictive nature can make long-term adherence difficult. New approaches, including personalized nutrition and targeting specific food types, are emerging. Functional foods such as prunes and kiwifruit also show promise in improving bowel function. Ongoing research into alternative diets and biomarkers is needed for more personalized treatments of bowel disorders.

Reference: Singh P, Tuck C, Gibson PR, et al. The Role of Food in the Treatment of Bowel Disorders: Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Constipation. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Jun 1;117(6):947-957. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001767. Epub 2022 Apr 8. Erratum in: Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Jul 1;119(7):1442-1444. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002297. PMID: 35435179; PMCID: PMC9169760.