Spicy food, legumes, and cabbage top the list of IBS triggers reported by Saudi patients.
Sarah M. Ajabnoor and Lara Tashkandi
Surveying 98 Saudi adults with irritable bowel syndrome, researchers found spicy foods, legumes, cabbage, milk, and fried foods were the most commonly reported symptom triggers. Older age and greater IBS severity were linked to higher overall trigger scores, while chronic illness was specifically tied to sensitivity to fruits, vegetables, and protein foods. The authors suggest dietary counseling for IBS should be tailored to these individual risk factors rather than applied uniformly.
- The question: Which foods most often set off symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome?
- The study: Researchers surveyed 98 Saudi adults with irritable bowel syndrome using a food trigger score.
- The finding: Spicy foods, legumes, cabbage, milk, and fried foods were the most commonly reported symptom triggers.
- The nuance: Older age and greater severity were linked to higher overall trigger scores, while chronic illness was tied to sensitivity to fruits, vegetables, and protein foods.
Takeaway: dietary counseling for IBS should be tailored to individual risk factors rather than applied uniformly.
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