MRI study investigating Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms to be published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology

Scientists in the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre and the Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre at the University of Nottingham have investigated how the small and large bowel respond to ingestion of certain carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. This research has been accepted for publication in the leading peer-reviewed journal American Journal of Gastroenterology.

It is known that ingestion of fructose and fructans (such as inulin) can exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms though mechanisms are not well understood. This paper entitled “Differential effects of FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) on small and large intestinal contents in healthy subjects shown by MRI” describes studies that show how Fructose but not inulin distends the small bowel with water. Adding glucose to fructose reduces the effect of fructose on SBWC and breath hydrogen. Inulin distends the colon with gas more than fructose, but in healthy volunteers this causes few symptoms.

This study suggests that it will be important to separately study the impact of fructose and high molecular weight fructans in IBS patients since this may allow a more selective tailoring of low FODMAP diets for specific symptoms.