Irritable Bowel Pain and the Secret of Apples

Apples are a great food for IBS, once you know their secret. They may even help to relieve irritable bowel pain.

Here’s why...

...Apple flesh is full of soluble fibre. That’s the fiber that dissolves in water to form a gel. It bulks up in your intestines to help create nice regular contractions, instead of those painful spasms that hurt so much. This is why applesauce is often recommended for people with IBS.

But apples have another side to them that’s not so helpful. Their skin is full of insoluble fiber – that’s the part of them you can’t digest. Insoluble fiber acts like a broom sweeping out your intestines, which is hard for the sensitive IBS digestive system to cope with, especially if you’re prone to diarrhea.

So to avoid causing irritable bowel pain, the big secret to apples is: PEEL them before eating. And if you still have trouble, cooking will break down the fiber even further, making your apples easier to digest. (Applesauce, anyone?)

Of course, apples alone are not enough to control your symptoms because IBS is a complex condition. But there are answers that work.

There's more great information about food and IBS in our special report "Unlocking the Mystery of IBS." Along with that you'll get insider details about the top 5 triggers of IBS... including the one thing nobody has told you that is likely keeping you from getting better - and how to deal with it to resolve your symptoms. Simply put your email address in the box on the right for instant access to this special IBS information.

We'd love to hear more about your experience with IBS - and with apples! Join the discussion and leave a comment below (your email will not show) and click on the Share button to share this article with your friends.

Need more help with IBS? Find it here.