Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Fact File
It is not known what causes Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS) however it is suspected that the gut becomes sensitised over time to certain foods, additives, colourants and e-numbers.
Symptoms can be quite variable and include abdominal pain, bloating, and sometimes bouts of diarrhoea and/or constipation. Symptoms tend to come and go. There is no cure for IBS, but symptoms can often be eased with treatment and a healthy diet.
People who suffer from IBS are more likely to suffer from bouts of depression and anxiety caused by their condition. We have more on anxiety and depression here.
The symptoms of IBS often reduce by eating a healthy diet and ditching junk food. Processed or junk food contains many ingredients which irritate the bowel and digestive system.
Top Tips to reducing your IBS symptoms
- Ditch all junk food
- Eat fruit and vegetables
- Eat plenty of fish, meat and vegetarian protein
- Drink 1.5 – 2 litres of fresh water each day
- Eat three meals plus two healthy snacks (for most people) each day
- Ditch processed drinks such as cordials and drink water or fruit flavoured water – found here
- Give up ready meals
- Give up jars of sauces
- Give up frozen junk food such as fish fingers
- Drink no more than 4 cups of caffeinated tea or coffee each day
- Give up sweeteners
For more health related topics please check out our nutrition services – more here
And you may like to read this article; The Dangers of eating highly processed foods – more here
