IBS Relief and Weight Loss Boosted by Diet Low in Starch and Sugar

A recent study from Lund University in Sweden suggests that a diet low in starch and sugar, known as the starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD), could be effective in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The SSRD diet not only matches the popular low-FODMAP diet in relieving IBS symptoms but also promotes weight loss and reduces sugar cravings.

Comparing IBS Treatment Diets

IBS is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, without any visible signs of damage to the digestive tract. The established dietary treatment for IBS is the low-FODMAP diet, which restricts the intake of certain carbohydrates, including wheat, lactose, fructose, rye, and barley. A recent study published in Nutrients in September compared the low-FODMAP diet with the SSRD. The study involved 155 people with IBS, who were randomly assigned to follow either the SSRD or low-FODMAP diet for four weeks. The results showed that both diets improved IBS symptoms by 75 percent to 80 percent. However, participants in the SSRD group experienced more weight loss and fewer sugar cravings than those in the low-FODMAP group.

SSRD Versus Low-FODMAP Diet

The low-FODMAP diet is recommended for IBS because high-FODMAP foods tend to produce gas and alter bowel habits. However, the diet has several drawbacks. It excludes many nutritious fruits and vegetables, potentially leading to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. The diet also restricts prebiotics, high-fiber foods that increase beneficial bacterial strains in the gut, potentially harming the gut microbiome. Some people also find the low-FODMAP diet complex due to its extensive list of foods to avoid. In contrast, the SSRD focuses on decreasing sucrose, starch, and added sugar. According to Bodil Ohlsson, a professor at Lund University and co-author of the study, the SSRD is healthy and simple. She stated that the SSRD is not just for those with IBS, but a recommended diet for everyone.

Why SSRD Offers Advantages

Ohlsson suggests several mechanisms that may underlie the positive effects of the SSRD. One factor may involve a rare deficiency in sucrase-isomaltase, an enzyme that breaks down sugar and starch. Another potential mechanism relates to gut microbiota composition. Excess undigested carbohydrates in the bowel can lead to increased fluid secretion, leading to bloating, flatulence, pain, and diarrhea. The SSRD reduces carbohydrate intake, thus decreasing these symptoms.

Following the SSRD

A study published in Nutrients in 2021 outlines guidelines for following the SSRD. The diet recommends increasing the intake of nonstarchy fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy products without added sugar, butter and oil, fiber-rich grains such as oats, brown rice, and 100 percent whole-grain bread, and nuts and seeds. The SSRD also involves avoiding starchy fruits such as bananas, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, corn, and beans, oat and soy milk, margarine, refined grains and processed breakfast cereals, and sugary snacks and beverages.

Gastroenterologist's Opinion

Dr. Ashkan Farhadi, a board-certified gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, finds the study interesting due to the known drawbacks of the low-FODMAP diet and the potential additional benefits of the SSRD. He stated that while the low-FODMAP diet works, it is extremely restrictive and many patients find it hard to follow. He welcomes the SSRD as an appealing alternative.

Bottom Line

The study from Lund University presents an alternative dietary approach to managing IBS symptoms. The SSRD not only matches the low-FODMAP diet in symptom relief but also promotes weight loss and reduces sugar cravings. This finding could potentially change the way IBS is managed through diet. What are your thoughts on this study? Do you think the SSRD could be an effective alternative to the low-FODMAP diet? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.