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A randomized clinical trial has found that the Mediterranean diet is superior to traditional diet advice in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, suggesting that it could be considered a viable first-line dietary intervention for IBS. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield studied data from 110 adults aged 18 to 65 years who had IBS across the United Kingdom. Trial participation was selective, with exclusion criteria including a history of eating disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Participants were randomly assigned to follow either a Mediterranean diet or a traditional diet for six weeks, with traditional diet advice following guidance from the British Dietetic Association.
The primary end point was the proportion of participants achieving clinical response, defined as a 50-point or greater reduction in IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS). Secondary endpoints included changes in IBS-SSS scores, quality of life, and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS).
At week 6, a 50-point or greater reduction in IBS-SSS score was achieved by 62% (95% CI, 50% to 73%) assigned a Mediterranean diet versus 42% (CI, 31% to 55%) of participants assigned the traditional diet. At week six, there was also a greater reduction in the mean IBS-SSS for those following a Mediterranean diet rather than a traditional diet. Frequency of abdominal pain was statistically significantly improved among participants following a Mediterranean diet versus a traditional diet.
More information:
Joy O. Bamidele et al, The Mediterranean Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Annals of Internal Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.7326/annals-25-01519
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American College of Physicians
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A Mediterranean diet could be the place to start when tackling IBS (2025, October 28)
retrieved 28 October 2025
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