Gluten May Not Be The Culprit For Many People With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A caller study from McMaster University researchers has recovered that galore group pinch irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who judge they are delicate to gluten aliases wheat whitethorn not really respond to these ingredients.

IBS is an intestinal upset that affects an estimated 10 per cent of Canadians – 1 of nan highest prevalence rates globally, according to nan Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. It tin beryllium disruptive and debilitating, and its underlying origin is unclear.

The study, published successful The Lancet Gastroenetrology and Hepatology on July 21, 2025, included participants pinch clinically diagnosed IBS who reported emotion amended connected a gluten-free diet. These individuals were fixed cereal bars to eat containing either gluten, full wheat, aliases neither -- without knowing, which was which, successful a random order.

Researchers recovered nan number of group who knowledgeable worse symptoms was akin crossed each 3 groups, including nan gluten-free placebo, suggesting that expectations and beliefs, alternatively than nan ingredients themselves, whitethorn beryllium driving symptoms successful galore cases.

Not each diligent who believes they are reacting to gluten really does. Some genuinely person a sensitivity to this nutrient protein, but for galore others, it's nan belief itself that's driving their symptoms and consequent choices to debar gluten-containing foods."

Premysl Bercik, elder author, professor pinch McMaster's Department of Medicine

When participants were later told which bars caused gastrointestinal symptoms, astir did not alteration their beliefs aliases their diets. Bercik says nan findings propose that immoderate patients pinch IBS whitethorn benefit, isolated from dietary guidance besides from psychological support and personalized care.

"What we request to amended successful our objective guidance of these patients is to activity pinch them further, not conscionable show them that gluten is not nan trigger and move on. Many of them whitethorn use from psychological support and guidance to thief destigmatize gluten and wheat and reintroduce them safely successful their diet."

The study frankincense sheds ray connected why galore group pinch IBS proceed to debar gluten, moreover erstwhile it whitethorn not beryllium nan existent origin of their symptoms. According to researchers, nan psychological arena known arsenic nan nocebo effect, wherever antagonistic expectations unsocial tin trigger existent symptoms, could partially beryllium nan reason. Bercik says nan powerful domiciled of societal media and online communities tin besides substance ideas that gluten is harmful.

"There is beardown power from nan internet. Many patients station really bad they consciousness astir gluten. Of course, it influences others," says Bercik, adding that for immoderate group surviving pinch IBS, avoiding gluten is simply a measurement of taking power of their situation.

"Continuing nan gluten-free fare mightiness provided patients pinch an actionable method to effort to power their symptoms, though it meant to travel unnecessary fare restrictions."

To behaviour nan study, researchers designed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover trial. This intends neither nan 29 participants nor nan researchers knew which barroom was being consumed astatine immoderate time. After each challenge, participants reported their symptoms, and stool samples were analyzed to objectively measurement gluten intake.

Even though astir participants said they ate nan gluten aliases wheat bars, laboratory tests showed galore didn't. According to nan study, only astir a 3rd really followed nan fare arsenic instructed, suggesting immoderate whitethorn person skipped nan bars to debar symptoms.

Funding for nan study was provided by Canadian Digestive Health Foundation and nan Society for nan Study of Celiac Disease.