Recent study revealed that bran can aggravate the problem of irritable bowel syndrome rather than treating it. But another form of fibre, soluble fibre can help in easing the symptoms of IBS.

Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands warned people who take bran with a belief that it will help treating IDB. Around one in ten people suffer from IBS at one point in their life.

Study was based on the data collected from 275 IBS patients, aged between 18 and 65. The study subjects were divided into three groups. Abdominal pain and an irregular bowel habit are the symptoms of IBS.

The first group was given 10 grams of bran, the second group was given 10 grams of a soluble fibre called psyllium and third group was given rice flour as placebo, twice a day for 12 weeks.

Data analysis revealed that symptom severity of the study subjects fed psyllium reduced by 90 points, study subjects fed bran showed reduction in symptom severity by 58 points and for placebo group had symptom severity reduced by 49 points.

Dr René Bijkerk from University Medical Centre Utrecht, in the Netherlands, and colleagues concluded: “Bran showed no clinically relevant benefit, and many patients seemed not to tolerate bran.”