The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diet Guide

Drink Lots Of Water

It's easy to become dehydrated without realizing it, even if an individual doesn't have irritable bowel syndrome. These patients tend to need to consume more water than the average person. In the past, doctors believed drinking too much water would cause dilution of the digestive juices. But this isn't true at all, and this medical advice led many individuals to become chronically dehydrated for no reason. Nowadays, doctors recommend that an individual with irritable bowel syndrome drink between six and eight glasses of water daily. This should be plain water rather than flavored water or other beverages. Some research indicates sipping water slowly and intermittently during a meal can help food pass through the digestive system. If individuals don't drink enough water, they could make their irritable bowel syndrome symptoms worse, especially if they involve constipation. Lack of water can also lead to nausea, fatigue, and general feelings of unwellness even in individuals who don't have irritable bowel syndrome. If individuals have a flareup that causes a bout of diarrhea, it's also important for them to replenish the liquid they lose.

Learn more about devising a diet for irritable bowel syndrome now.