Nutritional strategies to modulate gut health and improve well-being. Insights from randomized controlled intervention studies

Optimal gut function, including regular and comfortable bowel movements, is essential for health and well-being. Many people experience gut problems, especially those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can strongly affect quality of life. Diet and food supplements are often recommended, but it is unclear what really works, for whom, and why. In this thesis, several dietary approaches were tested in IBS patients and healthy adults. The findings show both the potential and the complexity of using nutrition to improve gut health. The work also underlines the need for more rigorous trials that account for strong placebo effects in IBS, and for more personalized strategies because of the high variation between people.