Short Answer: Honey is bad for IBS-D. Because it has fructose and glucose and they can worsen diarrhea and gas in some people with IBS-D.
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a condition that affects your large intestine.
In IBS-D, your body has abnormal muscle contractions and nerve signals in your intestine.
This can lead to various health problems, such as abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and frequent loose stools.
One of the key factors in managing IBS-D is diet.
What you consume can affect your gut bacteria, which can impact your IBS-D symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage IBS-D, you should consume soluble fiber rich foods like oats, bananas, and apples and avoid insoluble fiber rich foods like wheat bran, nuts, and seeds.
Now, honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by honey bees.
People usually use it as a natural sweetener or a remedy for cough and sore throat.
Honey is bad for IBS-D because it contains fructose and glucose.
These are fermentable sugars that can worsen diarrhea and gas in some people with IBS-D.
One tablespoon of honey can give you about 17 grams of carbohydrates, which is 6% of your daily needs.
Fructose can negatively affect IBS-D because it can cause osmotic diarrhea, which means it draws water into the intestine and makes the stool more watery.
Glucose can negatively affect IBS-D because it can stimulate the growth of certain bacteria in the intestine that produce gas and cause bloating.
Furthermore, honey is a high FODMAP food and high FODMAP foods are bad for IBS-D.
Because, FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can trigger IBS-D symptoms.
That’s why I suggest you limit your honey intake to avoid worsening your IBS-D symptoms.
Stick to one teaspoon or less per day to minimize the risk of diarrhea and gas.
Also, you shouldn’t eat honey if you have fructose malabsorption or intolerance to prevent abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Because, fructose malabsorption means you have trouble absorbing fructose in your small intestine and intolerance means you have an adverse reaction to fructose.
You can buy fresh honey in your local market or can order it from online. Always choose raw and organic honey.
Because, raw honey has more antioxidants and enzymes than processed honey and organic honey is free of pesticides and antibiotics.
You can store honey in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to two years.
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Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing IBS-D effectively.
I always recommend my IBS-D patients to follow a low FODMAP diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
