Alcohol and IBS – is there a link?

You are at the right place if you would like to learn if there is a link between alcohol and IBS.

In the article, we discuss how alcohol affects IBS and digestive health. We also debate if people with IBS should stop drinking alcohol.

Moreover, you will get some simple tips on minimizing the possible symptoms after having a drink and which drinks you should avoid on the low FODMAP diet.

How does alcohol affect IBS?

IBS is a multifactorial condition, and there are many possible triggers for IBS symptoms, and studies suggest alcohol is one of them (1, 2).

One study looked at alcohol consumption among women with IBS and those without. Women with IBS had digestive symptoms the following day, and healthy control did not (2).

Symptoms related to drinking alcohol in women with IBS were (2):

• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Intestinal gas
• Nausea

The symptoms were more significant in participants who had 4 or more alcoholic drinks per day compared to those who had less than 4 drinks per day (2). 

Moreover, alcohol had the most significant effect on women with IBS-D (2).

Although participants in the study who consumed 4 or more drinks had more severe symptoms, the general recommendation for alcohol consumption is one or fewer alcoholic drinks daily (3).

If you want to learn about diarrhea in IBS and the impact alcohol has you can do this here: What is IBS-D, and how can you manage it?

How does alcohol affect our digestive health?

The research on alcohol and IBS specifically is limited, so we will take a look at how alcohol affects healthy people in the long term.

Drinking alcohol harms our digestive tract because it triggers intestinal inflammation through multiple pathways, including:

• Negative changes in gut microbiota and its function (4, 5)
• Oxidative stress due to ethanol metabolism (6)
• Damage of the gut mucosa (lining) (7)
• Increased intestinal permeability (8)

Another way how drinking alcohol can impact our health is by causing anxiety (short and long term) and depression (9).

As we know, our brain and gut communicate via the gut-brain axis, and anxiety or depression could potentially worsen IBS symptoms. 

To learn more about mental health and IBS, read our article: Stress, anxiety, depression and IBS: managing mental health to help IBS.

There are also many other adverse effects of alcohol on our health, which you can read about here: Alcohol use and your health.

Should I stop drinking alcohol if I have IBS?

The British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines suggest that people with IBS should limit alcohol intake.

This is due to the many links we have alBritish Society of Gastroenterology guidelines ready discussed that show alcohol consumption is likely to make your symptoms worse.

However, whether you need to completely ‘t-total’ is not entirely clear and likely will vary from person to person. 

Consulting with a registered dietitian can provide personalized advice that can help you control your symptoms.

If you decide to have a drink occasionally, these tips may help reduce the impact of alcohol on your IBS:

1. Drink on a full stomach for slower absorption and experience less irritation of the stomach.
2. Avoid binge drinking. Have one drink if you are a woman and up to two if you are a man.
3. Have alcohol-free days.
4. Choose a drink with a lower alcohol content.

What drinks should you avoid with IBS?

Alcohol (ethanol) is only one of the triggers in alcoholic beverages.

Yet, you should also keep in mind that fizzy drinks (such as beer or mixers) and FODMAPs can also exacerbate IBS symptoms.

It is not possible to give a general recommendation on drinks to avoid as each person with IBS has different tolerance levels to specific triggers (FODMAPs, alcohol, carbonated drinks).

However, if you follow a low FODMAP diet, check our article about drinks you should avoid and drinks that are compatible: Can you drink alcohol on the low FODMAP diet?

Summary

Alcohol is one of the IBS triggers, and therefore, you should limit the intake – max. one drink if you are a woman and two drinks if you are a man, per occasion.

Long-term alcohol consumption has many adverse effects on gastrointestinal and overall health.

Working with a registered dietitian can help you discover if your symptoms are related to drinking alcohol and what is the safe limit for you.

Written by Barbara Lešnik, Student Dietitian, reviewed by Kirsten Jackson, Consultant Dietitian BSc Hons, RD, PG Cert