Low FODMAP diet

FODMAP is an acronym (abbreviation) referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people.

A Low FODMAP diet can improve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Theory
The FODMAP molecules are poorly absorbed in the small intestine of the digestive tract. These molecules then continue their journey along the digestive tract, arriving at the large intestine, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally. The bacteria then digest/ferment these FODMAPs and can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal bloating and distension, excess wind (flatulence), abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both), and other gastro-intestinal symptoms.

Evidence
Journal articles are listed here.

Learn more

 * Video - Low FODMAP Diet
 * Dr Sue Shepherd - Low FODMAP diet
 * Monash University (Australia) - Low FODMAP diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
 * Wikipedia - FODMAP