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What is the FODMAP diet?
- FODMAPs are fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine.
- A diet high in FODMAPs has been associated with higher levels of hydrogen produced in the breath in both IBS patients and healthy individuals as well as GI symptoms and lethargy in IBS patients, but not in healthy individuals.
- Conversely, a diet low in FODMAPs has been associated with lower levels of hydrogen production in both IBS patients and healthy individuals as well as a reduction in bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, and overall symptoms in IBS patients as compared with a normal diet.
- It is likely that a low FODMAP diet reduces the fermentation of these carbohydrates and subsequent hydrogen production, therefore reducing IBS symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence.
What are FODMAPs?
- FODMAPs are fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
- They include fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans, and sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, and ismalt. Fructose and lactose are present in apples, pears, watermelon, honey, fruit juices, dried fruits, milk, and dairy products.
- Polyols are used as a sugar replacement in low-calorie food products. Galactans and fructans are present in common dietary constituents, such as wheat, rye, garlic, onions, legumes, cabbage, artichokes, leeks, asparagus, lentils, inulin, soy,
- Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. Recent studies suggest that some patients with IBS have improvement in symptoms on a low FODMAP diet, although further studies are needed to determine which patients are most likely to improve.
The FODMAP diet
| High FODMAP foods | Low FODMAP foods |
|---|---|
| High-fructose containing fruit Apples, pears, watermelon | Low-fructose containing fruit Bananas, grapes, strawberries |
| Fructan containing vegetables Onions, asparagus, artichokes | Low-fructan containing vegetables Spinach, carrots, eggplant |
| High-galactan containing foods Legumes, lentils, soy | Low-galactan containing foods Tofu, peanuts |
| Wheat-based products Bread, pasta, cereals | Wheat-free grains Oats, quinoa, corn |
| Sorbitol containing foods | Sucrose, glucose, pure maple syrup |
| Lactose containing foods Milk, ice cream, soft and fresh cheeses | Lactose free foods Lactose-free milk, rice milk, hard cheese |
FODMAP , Fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols.
