Food contributing to fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyols intake in Korean adults

The dietary intake of foods with fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) is known to adversely affect patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the effects of FODMAP have been studied predominantly among Western populations. This study aimed to identify foods high in FODMAP content which form a part of the Korean adult diet and obtain basic data for the preparation of IBS guidelines.

An online survey of 1,000 adults from the general population in the age group of 20 to 40 years was performed. Data from 787 participants (men, 386; women, 401) were analyzed. The general characteristics of the participants, health status, IBS diagnosis using the Rome III diagnostic criteria, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire findings, and food items causing symptoms were analyzed.

Overall, 169 participants (21.5%) had IBS. The contribution of the FODMAP nutrients in both IBS and healthy groups was as follows: fructan > lactose > excess fructose > sorbitol > mannitol > galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). The fructan intake was 4.6 ± 2.2 g/day and 4.3 ± 2.5 g/day in the IBS and healthy groups (P = 0.014), respectively. In the IBS group, the ratio of the intake of fructan to the total FODMAP intake was 39.5%, 29.8%, and 5.8% through onions, garlic, and bananas, respectively.

Fructan was the FODMAP nutrient most consumed by Korean adults. Therefore, given the difference in the dietary habits of each country's population, the dietary guidelines for IBS should be country specific.