Gluten-Free Diets

Although a gluten-free diet is often recommended as a way to treat IBS, there’s currently no scientific evidence to support this. When IBS improves on a gluten-free diet, it’s likely due to the elimination of fructans, which are fermentable carbohydrates found in foods that naturally contain gluten and have been shown to exacerbate IBS symptoms. Unless a person has celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or wheat allergy, there is no need for people with IBS to specifically avoid gluten. (See for further information.)