Key Practice Point
#1
Recommendation
There is too little evidence to comment on the effect of fluid intake
on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. However, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines suggest that individuals with IBS consume at least eight cups of water and non-caffeinated beverages daily in accordance with general healthy eating recommendations.
Evidence Summary
A 2020 narrative review found little evidence examining the effects of drinking water on IBS symptoms in individuals with IBS and concluded that what evidence did exist was too heterogeneous to draw conclusions.
A 2020 cross-sectional study (n=4763) concluded that high water intake (>8 glasses daily) was associated with greater odds of mixed presentation IBS (IBS-M, alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea) but not with other subtypes or overall odds of IBS.
The 2017 NICE guidelines recommend that individuals with IBS follow general healthy eating advice, including consuming at least eight daily cups of fluid. Water and other non-caffeinated beverages are encouraged.
Remarks