Restriction of Dietary Short Chain Carbohydrates May Attenuate Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Athletes
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Keywords
FODMAPS, Gastrointestinal, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Abstract
Athletes represent a population that are especially at risk for gut dysfunction, and are known to employ a multitude of therapies to reduce symptoms. Meanwhile, carbohydrates are the main energy source during exercise, but the amount and type consumed can contribute to gastrointestinal GI distress.There is evidence that short chain carbohydrates (referred to as FODMAPs) are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, and trigger functional gut symptoms. Therefore, it is speculated that athletes who consume foods rich in FODMAPs may experience heightened GI distress and subsequent reduction in performance. While the evidence has consistently shown symptomatic benefits for the use of a low FODMAP diet in clinical patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), limited research is available as to the benefits for reducing GI distress in symptomatic athletes.
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