Irritable Bowel Syndrome is something that I still have to deal with and is very much a challenge for me day by day.

It is possible over time and with experience to learn which foodstuffs trigger IBS and which are less problematic.  While everyone is of course unique there is a core of certain foods, which are likely to cause IBS symptoms.

Stress can be a cause of IBS, but so too is sugar and that is something I have touched on briefly but not in too much detail. Unfortunately it's not so obvious for most of us which foods contain sugar. The less obvious foods become obvious when we learn about those foods, particularly when we begin to eat them more frequently and don't realise that they can be a problem.

A study that has been carried out by researchers in Australia has suggested that a diet low in certain natural sugars may help people who struggle with IBS and inflammatory bowel disease.

Their theory is based on a low FODMAP diet, described as short-chain carbohydrates, found in many common foods. They began to look at the role of certain foods that are responsible for some of the symptoms we commonly have to deal with. Taking these foods out of our diet may help us reduce some of the IBS and inflammatory bowel disease symptoms.

These carbohydrates known as FODMAPs, represent the foods that are prone to fermentation brought about by gut bacteria. Some of the FODMAP foods include wheat, onion, garlic, artichokes, beans, lentils and peas, milk products, apples, pears, mangos, apples and cauliflower, most of which you wouldn't necessarily associate with IBS symptoms.

Taking some of these trigger foods out of our diet should significantly improve our symptoms. Because of the severity of the problem associated with IBS or inflammatory bowel disease, always consult and discuss your wishes you're your doctor first.