Stay Cool This Summer: The Connection Between Hydration & IBS (2024)

FAQs

Stay Cool This Summer: The Connection Between Hydration & IBS? ›

Studies have found that dehydration can worsen IBS symptoms and that adequate hydration can help reduce them. It is essential to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking sufficient amounts of water to manage your IBS.

For those of us with IBS, proper hydration is especially important as it can help alleviate common symptoms like constipation and bloating. Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is essential for overall gut health and well-being.

These fluids can over stimulate your intestines and cause diarrhea. The best form of hydration is water as it effectively flushes out your system. If you are someone who prefers a little flavor in your water, try adding fresh peppermint leaves! Food is not the only cause of IBS.

Instead of reaching for sugary sodas or fruit juices that can trigger IBS symptoms, try infusing your water with slices of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, or orange, along with fresh herbs like mint or basil.

Dehydration affects IBS. Firstly, when it's very hot, we will typically sweat a lot, which can lead to dehydration. When we don't have enough water in our digestive system it just doesn't work as well. This means you could get extra bloating, gas, or stomach pains, due to fermenting foods inside your gut.

Lemon water for your digestion

Lemon contains citric acid, which has shown to increase gastric acid secretion in the stomach, and these fluids help your body break down and digest what you eat. However, drinking citrus-based drinks may not be suitable if you suffer from digestive issues like IBS.

Drinking plenty of fluid such as water helps to soften your poo and makes it easier to pass. So drinking between 8 and 10 glasses of water each day can help prevent constipation. But avoid drinking alcohol or drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee and cola, as these can contribute to dehydration.

The best type of fluid to drink is water (flavoured with squashes if you prefer). Limit caffeinated drinks such as tea or coffee to three to four drinks per day. Fizzy drinks may make bloating worse. Eat regular meals spaced out evenly during the day if possible, including having breakfast every day.

Is banana good for IBS? ›

Unripe bananas are low in FODMAPS and therefore a better choice for people with IBS — although they're not as sweet or soft as ripe bananas. However, as bananas ripen, they accumulate a type of FODMAP called oligofructans. Therefore, ripe bananas are considered a high FODMAP food (6, 7 ).

1. Low-FODMAP Fruit Juices. The online nutrition guidance source for individuals with chronic digestive disorders, DietvsDisease.org, says that low-FODMAP fruits include blueberries, grapes, kiwi, lemons, limes, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries. But keep your serving size small.

IBS pain is difficult to stop instantly, but things like OTC pain medication, a heating pad, gentle abdominal massage, deep breathing, yoga, and peppermint oil may help symptoms resolve more quickly.

If you suffer from frequent IBS flare-ups, it may be worth investing in an electric heating pad. You can adjust the desired level of heat and you don't have to worry about it cooling off. A hot water bottle may be a safer option for overnight use, or you can try sports creams that deliver a warming effect.

Electric heating pads, hot water bottles, and long hot baths can relieve painful spasms and cramping in the abdomen. Regular exercise, such as walking, can reduce stress and encourage bowel movements if you are constipated.

A true food allergy rarely causes IBS . But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages. These include wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks. Stress.

A diet low in FODMAPs can reduce symptoms of IBS in most people. To calm an IBS flare-up, avoid high-FODMAP foods such as: Fructans (a fructose molecule that stores carbohydrates): such as garlic, onion, wheat, rye, and broccoli. Oligosaccharides (a type of carbohydrate): such as chickpeas, lentils, tofu, and beans.

Dehydration can cause constipation in several ways. When you don't drink enough fluids, the water content in your gastrointestinal tract decreases, resulting in hard and dry stools. Dehydration can also slow down stool movement through the intestines (colonic motility), which leads to water reabsorption from the stool.

According to a 2020 study, people with IBS may skip meals more frequently than those without IBS. The researchers suggest that skipping meals may have a negative effect on IBS due to a reduction in the gastro-colonic reflex, which increases gastrointestinal motility and supports digestion.

Increased thirst and constipation can both be related to dehydration due to any cause. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause constipation or diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration through loss of body fluids. If you are concerned about these or any disturbing symptoms, seek the advice of your doctor.