This pilot study published in April 2022 compared the effects of 12 weeks of following a low FODMAP diet versus 12 weeks of consuming tritordeum*-based foods (in substitution for other cereals & grains) among patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). The results indicated equal improvement of IBS symptoms (including frequency & severity of abdominal pain, severity of abdominal distention and dissatisfaction with bowel habits) and quality of life among the two groups. Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and investigate potential disadvantages of a tritordeum-based diet, such as pathophysiological or intestinal microbiota changes.

*Tritordeum is a cereal derived from the hybridization of durum wheat and wild barley.