A Tritordeum-Based Diet for Female Patients with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects on Abdominal Bloating and Psychological Symptoms

Abstract

Most female patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) complain of abdominal bloating rather than abdominal pain and diarrhea. The higher incidence in women could be due to the so-called dysfunctional gas handling. Since diet seems the most effective and durable strategy for managing IBS symptoms, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12 week diet based on a relatively new cereal, Tritordeum (TBD), on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance parameters, and psychological profiles in 18 diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) female patients with abdominal bloating as the dominant symptom. The IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, the Italian version of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and the IBS-Quality of Life questionnaire were administered. The TBD reduces the IBS-SSS “Intensity of abdominal bloating” with a concomitant improvement in the anthropometric profile. No correlation was found between “Intensity of abdominal bloating” and “Abdominal circumference”. Anxiety, depression, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and phobic and avoidance manifestations were significantly reduced after TBD. Lastly, anxiety was correlated with “Intensity of abdominal bloating”. Overall, these results suggest the possibility of lowering abdominal bloating and improving the psychological profile of female IBS-D patients using a diet based on an alternative grain such as Tritordeum.

The Impact of a Twelve-Week Moderate Aerobic Exercise Program on Gastrointestinal Symptom Profile and Psychological Well-Being of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: Preliminary Data from a Southern Italy Cohort

“…An exciting finding pertained to the dominant symptom observed at the beginning of the study, which was abdominal bloating rather than abdominal pain, contrary to the characterization of IBS based on the Rome criteria [ 1 ]. This observation aligned with previous studies on the dominant symptom in female IBS patients subjected to a specific diet [ 44 ]. However, the most significant percentage reduction, with a value of 60%, was observed in the frequency of abdominal pain, indicating an effect on this particular symptom.…”

The Effect of Polyphenols, Minerals, Fibers, and Fruits on Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

“…Tritordeum is a novel cereal derived from the hybridization of durum wheat and wild barley. It has lower levels of gliadin, carbohydrates, and fructans and a higher level of fiber, protein, and antioxidants compared to wheat [ 42 ]. The effects of a diet based on Tritordeum were evaluated in a 12-week study on 18 female patients diagnosed with IBS-D using the Rome III–IV criteria.…”

“…There was a significant correlation between anxiety and abdominal bloating. Although the findings were significant, the study was limited by the relatively small number of participants, who were all female [ 42 ].…”

Tritordeum: Promising Cultivars to Improve Health

“…Another study evaluated the effects of a 12-week diet of Tritordeum-based foods (bread, baked goods, and pasta) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) subjects on gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal barrier integrity: the Tritordeum-based diet was reported to significantly reduce patients’ symptoms [ 27 ]. Different research proposed the possibility of reducing abdominal bloating and improving the psychological status of women with IBD with a diet containing Tritordeum [ 28 ]. Yet, investigations in vivo indicate Tritordeum as a cereal characterized by multiple nutraceutical specificities [ 11 ].…”