Korean J Gastroenterol.  2025 Apr;85(2):97-104. 10.4166/kjg.2025.009.

Dietary Therapy in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Kang SJ
• the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility

• KMID: 2570572
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2025.009

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disease that impairs the quality of life and is a burden on the healthcare system. Pathophysiology is not fully understood and appears multifactorial. Nevertheless, many patients report symptoms that can be caused or aggravated by certain foods. Patients tend to avoid and even exclude certain foods to relieve their symptoms. Currently, there is evidence of the efficacy of whole diet intervention, such as a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (low-FODMAP diet). Many guidelines recommend a low-FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome. On the other hand, their application to patients requires caution. Dietary therapies, such as starch- and sucrose-reduced diets, have also been investigated. This review summarizes the evidence of whole dietary therapies in irritable bowel syndrome and factors to consider when applying dietary therapies in clinical practice.

Keyword

Diet therapy; Irritable bowel syndrome; Low-FODMAP diet