Fodmate

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. FODMAPs are fermentable fibers such as sugar alcohols and “short-chain” carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the digestive tract. The health benefits of consuming fermentable, prebiotic fibers are irrefutable. These fibers feed the microbiome and provide other documented health benefits. Yet, these fermentable fibers can be difficult to break down. Thus, intake can lead to issues such as:

• Abdominal distention
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas

A low FODMAP diet is intended as a short-term solution. People typically struggle with compliance on the very restrictive low FODMAP diet. It’s also confusing and frustrating. Plus, it comes with the threat of potentially starving the microbiome, as the diet is intentionally deprived of diverse fibers that feed the beneficial organisms in the gut. Thus, cutting out high FODMAP foods is not a practical and permanent solution.