Mediterranean Diet & IBS Relief: Pilot Study Results
- The Mediterranean diet may offer relief for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a pilot study by Michigan Medicine researchers.
- Participants were divided into two groups: one followed the Mediterranean diet, while the other adhered to the low FODMAP diet.
- Many prefer dietary changes over medication to manage their symptoms.
A recent pilot study reveals that the Mediterranean diet may ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers found that 73% of participants on the Mediterranean diet experienced symptom advancement, positioning it as a potentially accessible alternative to the restrictive low FODMAP diet, a common intervention. The study, from Michigan medicine, highlights the challenges of maintaining restrictive diets. The researchers explored the potential of the Mediterranean diet for IBS, given its established health benefits, and the limitations of the low FODMAP approach.While the low FODMAP group showed greater improvements, the Mediterranean diet’s results warrant further inquiry.News directory 3 covered the main findings. Larger trials are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet for IBS relief. Discover what’s next in IBS treatment.
Mediterranean Diet May Ease IBS Symptoms, Study Finds
updated May 31, 2025
The Mediterranean diet may offer relief for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to a pilot study by Michigan Medicine researchers. The study explored the potential of the Mediterranean diet as an alternative to the low FODMAP diet, a common but restrictive dietary intervention for IBS.
Participants were divided into two groups: one followed the Mediterranean diet, while the other adhered to the low FODMAP diet. The primary goal was to see a 30% reduction in abdominal pain intensity after four weeks. Results showed that 73% of patients on the mediterranean diet experienced symptom improvement, compared to nearly 82% in the low FODMAP group.
IBS affects between 4% and 11% of people. Many prefer dietary changes over medication to manage their symptoms. While the low FODMAP diet is effective for many, it’s restrictive nature can be challenging to maintain. this led researchers to investigate more accessible dietary options, including a simplified version of the low FODMAP approach.
Dr. Prashant Singh, a Michigan Medicine gastroenterologist and the study’s lead author, noted the difficulties patients face when adopting restrictive diets like the low FODMAP diet. “In addition to the issue of being costly and time-consuming, there are concerns about nutrient deficiencies and disordered eating when trying a low FODMAP diet,” Singh said. “The Mediterranean diet interested us as an alternative that is not an elimination diet and overcomes several of these limitations related to a low FODMAP diet.”
The Mediterranean diet is already recognized for its cardiovascular,cognitive,and general health benefits. however, previous research on its impact on irritable bowel syndrome had produced mixed results. This study represents the first randomized controlled trial directly comparing the Mediterranean diet to another established dietary approach for IBS.
Even though the low FODMAP group experienced greater improvements in abdominal pain intensity and overall IBS symptom severity, researchers found the Mediterranean diet’s results encouraging enough to warrant larger, more comprehensive trials. All patients in the study had been diagnosed with either IBS-D (diarrhea) or IBS-M (mixed constipation and diarrhea).
“This study adds to a growing body of evidence which suggests that a Mediterranean diet might be a useful addition to the menu of evidence-based dietary interventions for patients with IBS,” said Dr. William Chey,chief of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and senior author of the paper.
What’s next
Future studies should compare the long-term effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet with the long-term outcomes of the low FODMAP diet, including the reintroduction and personalization phases, according to the researchers. This will help determine the role of the Mediterranean diet in managing irritable bowel syndrome and providing sustainable symptom relief.