High-Fat Foods and FODMAPs Containing Gluten Foods Primarily Contribute to Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Korean Adults

Abstract

Dietary control plays an important role in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, few studies have examined the relationship between dietary intake and symptoms of IBS in Koreans. The current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the diet in food consumption and nutrient intake in Korean adults aged 20 to 40 with IBS. The data collected were completed by 857 subjects using a community-based web survey. The questionnaire covered functional bowel disorders based on Rome III, the semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), and the food items causing symptoms. In total, 186 of 857 subjects (21.7%) were diagnosed with IBS. The non-IBS group had a fat intake of 76.9 ± 47.9 g/day, while the IBS group had a fat intake of 86.6 ± 55.1 g/day (p = 0.014). The non-IBS group had a total fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol (FODMAP) intake of 12.6 ± 9.7 g/day, whereas the IBS group had a total FODMAP intake of 13.9 ± 9.9 g/day (p = 0.030). Foods that contributed to the onset of symptoms in the IBS group were instant noodles (70.8%), Chinese noodles with vegetables and seafood (68.7%), pizza (67.2%), and black bean sauce noodles (66.3%) which are mostly classified as high fat and high gluten foods. The dietary intake of IBS patients differs from that of non-IBS subjects. Increased intake of gluten-containing or high-fat foods due to the westernized diet caused more IBS symptoms than high FODMAPs and dairy products in Korean adults in their 20 s to 40 s.

An Asian perspective on irritable bowel syndrome

“…Therefore, it is difficult to restrict kimchi consumption in Korean people. A recent questionnaires-based cross-sectional study from Korea investigated the difference between the IBS group (n=186) and non-IBS group (n=671) [ 29 ]. The study found that the IBS group had significantly higher FODMAP intake than the non-IBS group (13.9 ± 9.9 g/day vs. 12.6 ± 9.7 g/day, P =0.030) [ 29 ].…”

“…A recent questionnaires-based cross-sectional study from Korea investigated the difference between the IBS group (n=186) and non-IBS group (n=671) [ 29 ]. The study found that the IBS group had significantly higher FODMAP intake than the non-IBS group (13.9 ± 9.9 g/day vs. 12.6 ± 9.7 g/day, P =0.030) [ 29 ]. Moreover, the IBS group consumed a significantly higher amount of fat than the non-IBS group (86.6 ± 55.1 g/day vs. 76.9 ± 47.9 g/day, P=0.014) [ 29 ].…”

“…The study found that the IBS group had significantly higher FODMAP intake than the non-IBS group (13.9 ± 9.9 g/day vs. 12.6 ± 9.7 g/day, P =0.030) [ 29 ]. Moreover, the IBS group consumed a significantly higher amount of fat than the non-IBS group (86.6 ± 55.1 g/day vs. 76.9 ± 47.9 g/day, P=0.014) [ 29 ]. Additionally, foods containing high amount of fat and gluten such as instant noodles (70.8%), Chinese noodles with vegetables and seafood (68.7%), pizza (67.2%), and black bean sauce noodles (66.3%) were correlated with IBS symptoms [ 29 ].…”

“…Moreover, the IBS group consumed a significantly higher amount of fat than the non-IBS group (86.6 ± 55.1 g/day vs. 76.9 ± 47.9 g/day, P=0.014) [ 29 ]. Additionally, foods containing high amount of fat and gluten such as instant noodles (70.8%), Chinese noodles with vegetables and seafood (68.7%), pizza (67.2%), and black bean sauce noodles (66.3%) were correlated with IBS symptoms [ 29 ]. Another Korean study based on self-reported questionnaire on food habits also suggested that fat-rich foods (25.0%), gluten-rich foods (23.8%), spicy foods (15.0%), and dairy products (15.0%) were associated with symptoms in patients with symptomatic IBS (n=167) compared with that in asymptomatic controls (n=125) [ 30 ].…”

Dietary gluten worsens hepatic steatosis by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress in ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet

“…The consumption of an energy-rich diet consisting of ultraprocessed and gluten-rich foods has become predominant in the western population. 7,8 On the other hand, there has been a growing number of gluten-free diet followers who believe it has health benefits. 9,10 Nevertheless, evidence showing that gluten has harmful health effects in non-celiac subjects is scarce.…”