According to a new study, practicing these five healthy living practices could reduce your risk of IBS by up to 42%. While some of these characteristics may seem clear to you, others may be unexpected. Here’s what science demonstrates.
What The Study Shows The latest study, published this week in Gut, a BMJ publication, looked at 64,268 UK-based adults aged 37 to 73. The patients had no previous IBS diagnosis and were followed for an average of 12.6 years. The study found that the following five health-related habits were associated with a lower incidence of IBS: no smoking, adequate sleep (7 to 9 hours per night), a high degree of vigorous physical activity, good “dietary quality,” and moderate alcohol consumption.
Even just one of the five lifestyle practices described was proven to reduce the risk of having IBS by 21%. According to this study, including two of these health practices in your routine reduces your risk of IBS by 36%, and including three to five reduces your risk by 42%.
Of course, not smoking and using alcohol in moderation are signs of a healthy lifestyle. While it is uncertain what constitutes “vigorous physical activity,” walking, cycling, swimming, or participating in your favorite sport have been shown to help control bowel motions. A healthy eating plan, particularly one that includes high-fiber meals, can also help you stay regular. Another consideration is how good sleep improves general health and wellness. Sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption before bedtime, and excessive caffeine consumption can all contribute to poor sleep. The point is that all of these healthy lifestyle habits may improve your sleep.
The Bottom Line
It is feasible to manage your IBS risk, and this study demonstrates that a balanced lifestyle is beneficial to your entire health, particularly your gut health. More research is needed to determine what causes IBS, so consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your bathroom habits.
