5 Foods That Can Lead to IBS-Related Flare Ups

Constantly being assailed by gastrointestinal problems like bloating, tummy cramps, and flatulence? These are symptoms prevalent in cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. Keeping some eatables at bay can help you attain a modicum of relief from these painful GI tract issues.

IBS is a condition that can afflict anyone irrespective of their age group, ethnicity or gender. It is, in fact, quite a common malady that affects almost 15 percent of the American population. The first most essential step towards counteracting the effects of this gastrointestinal ailment is to know what to include and what to exclude from one’s diet. Several everyday food items that you blindly consume thinking that they are nutritious may actually be responsible for those painful IBS flare-ups that make you double up in pain or cause severe and uncomfortable bloating.

Here is a list of the top 5 items that you should remove from your diet to avoid being struck by IBS-related symptoms:

1. Dairy – A disaccharide known as lactose found in dairy products is one of the most insidious culprits when it comes to an IBS-related flare-up. Since many IBS patients cannot process lactose efficiently, an excess of it accumulates in the body causing gas and bloating. Consuming things like milk, cheese, whipped cream, and condensed milk can, therefore, worsen the symptoms.

2. Caffeinated Beverages – It is common knowledge that caffeine can have a laxative effect even on those who have a healthy digestive system. In cases of those suffering from IBS, too much caffeine can agitate the gastrointestinal system by hiking the production of gastric acid and causing diarrhea. Limiting your coffee can reduce the chances of gastrointestinal havoc.

3. Edibles with High Fructose Content – High fructose corn syrup present in almost all the aerated drinks and sweetened junk food can irritate the GI tract of IBS patients considerably. What may come as a surprise to most people, though, is that even some healthy produce like apples, pears, plums, mushrooms, cauliflower, and asparagus (to name a few) have a very high amount of fructose and should be avoided by IBS patients.

4. Artificial Sweeteners – Crossing off synthetic sweeteners like sorbitol and xylitol from your diet can help in bringing down the intensity and frequency of IBS-related symptoms. Products made using these chemicals including chewing gum and candy can cause diarrhea as well as bloating.

5. Onions – Fructans, a class of carbohydrates found in abundance in onions, are known to unleash great distress in the GI tract especially for those who have weaker digestive systems. Avoiding onions in any form can be very useful in toning down the discomfort experienced due to IBS.

Practicing a few dietary restrictions can bring a lot of respite to those battling IBS and its agonizing effects. Start with the recommendations given above and make a positive impact on your life right away!