Mediterranean diet reduces abdominal pain

The study revealed that maintaining healthy dietary patterns consistent with a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

MADRID, Oct. 28 (EUROPA PRESS) .- The irritable bowel syndrome (GIVE) affects millions of people around the world, causing abdominal pain, inflammation y changes in digestion that impact daily life. a new study of the United Kingdom analyzes how different dietary patterns can influence these symptomsopening the door to more effective dietary approaches to control this chronic condition.

Characterized by abdominal pain, swelling y abnormal bowel habitsit is believed that the GIVE It affects one in 10 people worldwide. It is not fully understood what exactly causes the GIVEbut the disorderly functioning of the gut-brain axis plays a key role in symptoms.

The Mediterranean diet is neither superior nor inferior

A randomized clinical trial from the University of Sheffield (United Kingdom) evaluated whether the Mediterranean diet is non-inferior to traditional dietary recommendations for the management of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Irritable bowel syndrome (#SII) #Health What is your treatment? #Infographic @sepdigestiva @saludigestivo pic.twitter.com/KuuAkDkRm9

— Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology (SEPD) (@sepdigestiva) October 27, 2025

The trial concluded that the Mediterranean diet is non-inferior and superior to traditional dietary recommendations for the management of IBS symptoms, suggesting that it could be considered a viable first-line dietary intervention for IBS. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield studied data from 110 adults aged 18 to 65 with IBS across the UK. Participation in the trial was selective, with exclusion criteria including a history of eating disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Participants were randomly assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet or a traditional diet for six weeks, with traditional dietary advice following the British Dietetic Association guidelines.

The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants achieving a clinical response, defined as a reduction of 50 points or more on the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS). Secondary endpoints included changes in IBS-SSS scores, quality of life, and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Evaluator (MEDAS).

Let’s talk about irritable bowel syndrome, colloquially known as colitis and which fulfills the paradox of being both overdiagnosed and underdiagnosed at the same time.

I open a thread pic.twitter.com/Vyf19CLeAc

— Mijail Tapia, MD (@Drmijailtia) December 19, 2023

At week six, a reduction of 50 points or more in the IB-SSS score was achieved in 62 percent (95 percent CI, 50 percent to 73 percent) assigned to a Mediterranean diet versus 42 percent (31 percent to 55 percent CI) of participants assigned to the traditional diet.

In week six, a greater reduction in the mean IBS-SSS was also observed after a Mediterranean diet than after a traditional diet. The frequency of abdominal pain improved statistically significantly among participants on a Mediterranean diet compared to the traditional diet.