Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: That's really odd, considering cinnamon is a digestive aid...

Nutritional Intervention for IBS from UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders says

"However, since IBS is also associated with visceral hypersensitivity, luminal distension -- as might be caused by the bacterial fermentation of insoluble fiber derived from plant foods that are poorly digested by human enzymes."

Dr. Spiller, well-known GI doctor, reported in Pharnacology of Dietary Fiber in section 2.2 Insoluble fiber subsection 2.2.1 on Cellulose - a major component of insoluble fiber - he says

"This [cellulose] is a major structural component of plants, made of long, unbranched glucose polymers, insoluble in water but capable of binding some water, though less than pectin and guar. It passes largely unaltered through the upper gut, with 85% being excreted in ileostomy output, but is then variably fermented by colonic cellulases, with from 20 to 80% being excreted in normal subjects stool (Holloway et al., 1978; Van Dokkum et al., 1983)".

There are many references to the fermentation of insoluble fiber in the GI literature. In my case insoluble fiber quickly ferments but probably not as quickly as inulin and FOS which are short chained carbohydrates.

I can handle very small amount of powdered cinnamon for flavor but I prefer to use stick cinnamon and then remove it before eating. Large amounts of spices and herbs that is, in the order of 1 to 2 grams, is problematic for me even if they are ground fine.

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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
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The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

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