How could diet affect IBS?

Many soluble fibers can be fermented by gut microbes to produce energy, resulting in by-products such as short-chain fatty acids and gas. The combination of fermentability and solubility can lead to accumulated gas and water retention in the colon, which can worsen abdominal pain and diarrhea. The low-FODMAP diet has been shown to reduce diarrhea-predominant IBS symptoms, and traditional dietary advice (such as avoiding trigger foods, limiting alcohol, and eating smaller, more frequent meals) is similarly effective.^[1]