IMPACT OF NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, distension, and changes in bowel habits, whose etiology involves multiple factors, such as intestinal dysbiosis and visceral hypersensitivity. Nutritional interventions have emerged as effective non-pharmacological approaches for symptom management. This integrative review aimed to evaluate the impact of different nutritional strategies in the management of IBS, with emphasis on the low FODMAP diet, probiotics, gluten exclusion, and fiber supplementation. The research was conducted in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane, including studies published between 2010 and 2023. The results showed that the low FODMAP diet is the most effective intervention in reducing symptoms, while the use of specific probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium infantis, also presents significant benefits. Gluten exclusion appears to be effective only for a subgroup of patients, and soluble fiber supplementation has been shown to improve constipation in individuals with IBS. The individualization of nutritional interventions, based on the clinical and microbiological profile of each patient, is essential to optimize results.