Avocados are nutritious, tasty and have become a kitchen staple in many homes around the world.
While some people refer to avocados as fruits and some people say they’re a vegetable, avocados (Persea americana) are actually considered berries. [1]
Avocado has many health benefits including improving digestion, decreasing the risk of depression, and protecting against cancer. [2]
But is avocado good or bad for IBS? 🤔
Does it cause any harm?
Let’s find out. 🧐
Table of Contents
Is Avocado Good or Bad for IBS?
Avocado is bad for IBS; because it contains sorbitol, which is a type of polyol or sugar alcohol. Some people with IBS can’t easily tolerate large quantities of sorbitol and may contribute to IBS symptoms.
Let me explain. 🧐
A small serving of avocado, which is about 1/8 of a whole avocado, is low in FODMAPs and unlikely to cause any symptoms, even for people with IBS problems. [3]
However, higher than that amount of avocado can cause difficulty if you have IBS.
Now what is FODMAP?
FODMAP, full form “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols” is a type of carbohydrates found in certain foods like wheat and beans.
If you have IBS, your doctor may recommend you to avoid high FODMAP foods.
A full serving of avocado falls in the high FODMAP category. It means, more than 1/8 of a whole avocado may contain problematic amounts of sorbitol, which you may can’t tolerate. [3]However, avocado oil, a type of oil made from avocados, does not contain any carbs and is FODMAP-free. Therefore, it’s safe for those who are sensitive to FODMAPs, like people with IBS. [4]
Related Question: Are Apples Good or Bad for Piles or Hemorrhoids? 🤔
Can I eat avocado with IBS?
Yes, you can eat avocados but in small quantities. However, if you have severe IBS, avoid avocado. Furthermore, in this case, consult your healthcare provider to know safe food options for you.
Does avocado cause any harm if I have IBS?
Yes, but only if you eat a full avocado. However, if you have severe IBS, avoid avocado. Furthermore, in this case, consult your healthcare provider to know safe food options for you.
How and when should I eat avocado if I have IBS?
If you have IBS, you can eat a small amount of avocado if you like, which is about 1/8 of a whole avocado. You can eat it at any time. However, avoid it at night if you have IBS.
Related Question: Is Ginger Good for Piles or Hemorrhoids? 🤔
The Final Word
Although IBS doesn’t cause any serious disease or permanently damage your large intestine (colon), it can be uncomfortable and irritating. [5]
However, most people with IBS can ease their IBS symptoms by changing their diet.
If you ask me, “is avocado good or bad for IBS?” my answer will be positive. You can enjoy this delicious food if you like, but in small quantities, as I mentioned earlier in this article.
The most important thing is to be aware of the food you eat and its effect on your health to lead a healthy life. For this, you can subscribe to the NutritionCrown newsletter. Here I publish a weekly newsletter about nutrition facts and news which I don’t share anywhere else.
Related Question: Is it Safe to Eat Fish and Eggs Together? 🤔
References
This article is written by a certified nutritionist and verified by scientific evidence.
We rely on reputed and specialized media sites, academic research institutions, peer-reviewed studies, government agencies, and medical associations to source information. 📰
We avoid using tertiary references. Know more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Following are the references of this article.
- Avocados From Mexico: Is an Avocado a Fruit or a Vegetable. Accessed 11 January 2022[↩]
- FoodData Central (USDA): Avocados, raw, all commercial varieties. Accessed 11 January 2022[↩]
- Monash University: 10 foods you didn’t know you could eat on a low FODMAP diet. Accessed 11 January 2022[↩][↩]
- Healthline: Is Avocado a High FODMAP Food? Accessed 11 January 2022[↩]
- Office on Women’s Health: Irritable bowel syndrome. Accessed 11 January 2022[↩]
