Low-FODMAP Foods May Reduce Gas, Bloating and Diarrhea

FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are carbohydrates that some people have difficulty digesting. When undigested FODMAPs enter the colon, gut bacteria quickly ferment them, causing excessive gas and bloating. They also attract water, causing diarrhea.

Many people with digestive issues, particularly those who suffer from IBS, find that avoiding foods rich in FODMAPs relieves their gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Low-FODMAP diets reduced these symptoms in 50–80% of persons with IBS, according to a review of ten randomized trials. While not everyone with digestive disorders has trouble digesting FODMAPs, consulting a dietitian can help you figure out if any of them are bothering you.