FODMAP is the current buzz word in the world of gut health and gastrointestinal distress. The low-FODMAP way can relieve even the most severe digestive discomfort. However, unlike most diets, this is not a fad. Rigorous clinical trials have proved the diet's effectiveness in treating symptoms of gut distress, and the scientific community, along with the general public, is excited about it and its role in treating functional gastrointestinal symptoms. FODMAP is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. These carbohydrates, present in a normal, healthy diet, are not fully digested and absorbed in the small bowel and go on to be fermented in the latter part of the bowel. This results in the production of gases and an influx of water, which, in susceptible individuals, can cause pain, discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea and excessive wind.
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