You probably know that fruit contains the natural sugar called fructose. But did you know that processed foods and sweetened beverages like soda often contain fructose in the form of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)? In fact, HFCS is a huge contributor of fructose in our diet. This can pose digestive issues for many since an estimated 40% of the population is unable to completely absorb fructose in the gut.

Incomplete absorption (malabsorption) of fructose in the small intestines can cause bloating for anyone, but for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) it can pose a severe problem. People with IBS have very sensitive digestive tracts and can experience fructose malabsorption as extreme pain, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea.

To find out if fructose is contributing to your digestive symptoms, start by eliminating all foods that contain HFCS. Do this for a few weeks and keep a food diary to closely track your symptoms. If you notice an improvement, you may have found a trigger. In addition, you can try limiting the following high fructose foods:

Keep in mind that the fruits on this list, unlike processed foods and HFCS, provide healthy vitamins, minerals and fiber. Therefore, if you do not experience digestive symptoms when you eat them, there is no need to remove them from your diet. Unnecessary restriction of fruit is not recommended.

Now I’d love to hear from you.

If you suffer from IBS, have dietary modifications helped to relieve your symptoms?

Please share in the comment section below. Your story could be very helpful to other readers.

Meanwhile, If you are you are suffering from painful digestive symptoms, get the “Guide to Digestive Wellness: 10 healthy gut tips and strategies” at https://njnutritionist.com/healthygut. Get your gut back on track today.

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