Diet Outperforms Medication in Managing IBS Symptoms: Study

Between 60 percent and 68 percent of participants continued to benefit from dietary changes six months later

Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock

If you are battling irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your next prescription might be found in your kitchen.

A study published in April 2024 shows that simple dietary changes outperform medication in managing IBS symptoms. And that relief lasts. Six months later, most patients who stuck to their new eating habits still enjoyed significant benefits.

Diet Versus IBS Medication

Typical dietary advice for IBS sufferers includes eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones and limiting common triggers such as coffee and milk. When medication is used, it usually aims to relieve symptoms such as constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.