The importance of water in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Dehydration is a key factor in many any health problems, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is also known as IBS. The reason why this is the case is because the colon (which is part of the large intestine) helps to gauge the water content of the body. If the body is ‘dry’ or dehydrated, then this will be felt first in the colon.

Dryness in the colon can lead to inflammation and irritation in the lining of the digestive tract. The symptoms of IBS may then manifest themselves. Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms can be further exacerbated by dietary and environmental factors and by stress. Indeed, according to the latest research, about 50% of people affected by IBS link stress with the onset of symptoms and their worsening during periods of anxiety.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that particularly affect the large intestine include:

• Abdominal bloating which often subsides overnight but comes back the next day
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Diarrhoea and/or constipation
• Rectal pain
• A desperate need to go to the loo, especially after breakfast

The good news is that drinking between 6-8 glasses of filtered or bottled water each day will certainly help to keep the colon and the whole body hydrated. Furthermore, water holding foods such as brown rice, wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, will also help.

However, drinks such as tea, coffee, alcohol, fizzy soft drinks and cordials act as diuretics. As a result they take water and some minerals such as magnesium, out of the body. Therefore if you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome you should try and avoid these beverages.

Keeping sufficiently hydrated should help relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. In addition to this, it will allow your body to cleanse itself efficiently and perform the many metabolic functions necessary for good health.

Please Note:

We are happy for you to re-publish this article as long as you do not change any of the copy and include the following “about the author” box:

Elizabeth Harfleet is a Manchester based nutritional therapist specialising in the treatment of IBS http://www.wellbeing-nutrition.com/treatment-for-ibs.htm

Other IBS Articles:

The importance of water in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Foods and drinks which can worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – a Western disease?

Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome curable?

The link between IBS and food intolerance