Low-FODMAP Diet: Effect on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits and bloating, in the absence of any identifiable organic lesion. Its impact on patients' quality of life, as well as its socioeconomic cost, make it a significant public health issue. Among the factors involved in the pathophysiology of IBS, diet plays a key role.The low-FODMAP diet is currently one of the most extensively studied nutritional approaches in the management of IBS. FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and rapidly fermented by the colonic microbiota, leading to an increase in intestinal osmotic load and excessive gas production, which cause abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel dysfunction.The purpose of this monograph is to provide an overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome, the characteristics of FODMAPs, and the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of the low-FODMAP diet.