Saying that what you eat and drink has no influence on IBS is like saying it doesn’t matter what kind of oil or gas you put in your vehicle. Check out some of the worst offenders affecting IBS below:
CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES. Caffeine is a nervous system and muscle stimulant that speeds the emptying of the stomach and bowel. If you’re like most IBS sufferers, you experience a combination of constipation and diarrhea. Since IBS is aggravated by stress and tension, a high intake of caffeinated beverages will only exacerbate the problem.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES increase the porosity of the intestinal wall, allowing food particles and micro-organisms into your blood stream that have no business being there. Most IBS sufferers have an unfavourable balance of micro-organisms in their digestive tracts. Fermented products (i.e. produced with the help of yeasts and bacteria) such as beer and wine will only aggravate IBS.
SUGAR: Carbohydrates are the main source of nutrition for organisms like the yeasts and bacteria that inhabit the colon. These critters will reproduce rapidly with steady nourishment, and their activity can influence gas formation and the motility (i.e. movement) of the intestines.
Chances are excellent that what you eat is affecting your IBS. You wish it weren’t so, but the truth is, the foods you eat most are the ones that could be contributing to your discomfort. Don’t blame the food. A Digestive Rejuvenation Program will improve your system’s ability to process food. With some temporary nutritional modifications you may be able to eat what you love more often without the punishment of side effects to your gut!
Does caffeine, sugar or alcohol aggravate YOUR IBS? Let me know by leaving a comment below.