Cited by 27Gastrointestinal motility and disordersMicrobial Metabolites in Food BiotechnologyFood composition and properties

Effect of a short-term low fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) diet on exercise-related gastrointestinal symptoms

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Wiffin, Melanie, Smith, Lee, Antonio, Jose, Johnstone, James, Beasley, Liam, Roberts, Justin·2019·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Abstract

Background Research has demonstrated that low fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyol (FODMAP) diets improve gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome sufferers. Exercise-related GI issues are a common cause of underperformance, with current evidence focusing on the use of FODMAP approaches with recreationally competitive or highly trained athletes. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the potential benefit of FODMAP strategies to support healthy, recreational athletes who experience GI issues during training. This study therefore aimed to assess whether a short-term LOWFODMAP diet improved exercise-related GI symptoms and the perceived ability to exercise in recreational runners.Methods Sixteen healthy volunteers were randomly assigned in a crossover design manner to either a LOWFODMAP (16.06 ± 1.79 g·d− 1) or HIGHFODMAP (38.65 ± 6.66 g·d− 1) diet for 7 days, with a one week washout period followed by a further 7 days on the alternate diet. Participants rated their gastrointestinal symptoms on an adapted version of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) questionnaire before and at the end of each dietary period. Perceived ability to exercise (frequency, intensity and duration) in relation to each dietary period was also rated using a visual analogue scale. Resting blood samples were collected prior to and on completion of each diet to determine plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a marker of acute GI injury.Results Overall IBS-SSS score significantly reduced in the LOWFODMAP condition from 81.1 ± 16.4 to 31.3 ± 9.2 (arbitrary units; P = 0.004). Perceived exercise frequency (z = 2.309, P = 0.02) and intensity (z = 2.687, P = 0.007) was significantly improved following a short-term LOWFODMAP approach compared to HIGHFODMAP. No significant differences were reported between dietary conditions for plasma I-FABP (P > 0.05).Conclusions A short-term LOWFODMAP diet under free-living conditions reduced exercise-related GI symptoms and improved the perceived ability to exercise in otherwise healthy, recreational runners. These findings may be explained by a reduction in indigestible carbohydrates available for fermentation in the gut. The therapeutic benefits of LOWFODMAP diets in recreational and trained athletes during sustained training periods warrants further investigation.

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  1. [17]Lacy BE Diagnostic strategies in irritable bowel syndrome Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015 11 4 6 9 PMC4612133 26491416

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Authors
Wiffin, M., Smith, L., Antonio, J., Johnstone, J., Beasley, L., & Roberts, J.
Affiliations
  • Anglia Ruskin University (GB)
  • Department of Health and Human PerformanceNova Southeastern University Davie Florida USA
Corresponding author
Roberts, Justin
Venue
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published
2019-01-15
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
1-1
ISSN
1550-2783 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2917024910
Cited by
27
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4
FWCI
3.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Anglia Ruskin Research Online (Anglia Ruskin University) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Anglia Ruskin University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Food composition and properties
Keywords
FODMAPs, recreational runners, intestinal fatty acid binding protein, dietary intervention, irritable bowel syndrome, IBS-SSS, non-digestible carbohydrates, exercise performance, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, dietary fiber, intestinal permeability, intestinal barrier
MeSH terms
Adult, Diet, Dietary Carbohydrates, Disaccharides, Female, Fermentation, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Monosaccharides, Running, Exercise, Cross-Over Studies, Gastrointestinal Tract, Athletes, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

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