Fructans,Not Gluten,Often Trigger Bloatingโ and Gas,Landmark Study Reveals
London,Unitedโ Kingdom โ- November 12,2025 18:50:37 GMT – A โขnew โฃstudy published today โฃin The โLancet identifies fructans,a type of carbohydrate commonly found in wheat,rye,and garlic,as a primaryโ culprit behind bloating and gas symptoms frequently misattributed โto gluten โขintolerance. โขThe research โฃchallenges conventional understanding of digestive discomfort, suggesting a significant portion ofโฃ individuals self-diagnosing with gluten sensitivityโ may โactually be reacting to fructans. This finding has โขmajor implications โฃfor the estimated 13% of the global population reporting non-celiac gluten sensitivity, perhaps โคleading โคto more โคaccurate diagnoses and targeted dietary adjustments.
The study, conducted by researchersโ at King’s College London, involved a double-blind, placebo-controlledโ trial with 37 participants โฃexperiencing self-reported non-celiac gluten sensitivity.Participants wereโค given breads differing only in their fructan content -โข one highโ in fructans, one โlow โin fructans, and a placebo. Results demonstrated that โฃsymptoms ofโ bloating and gas were significantly more pronounced after consuming bread high in fructans, regardless of glutenโ levels. โ “our findings suggest that fructans, rather โthanโ gluten, are the major trigger of gastrointestinal symptoms in many people who believe they are โฃsensitive toโ wheat,”โ stated lead โขauthor Dr. Peter Gibson.
Fructans are short-chain โcarbohydrates that are poorly absorbed โฃin the small intestine. When they reach theโ large intestine, they are fermented by gut bacteria, producing gas and โฃcausing bloating, abdominal pain, and alteredโฃ bowel habits. While gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and โฃcauses an โฃimmune response in individuals with celiac โdisease, the โstudy indicates that for โmany โฃothers, the issue lies with the โฃfructans present โin these same grains.โค
The research team emphasizes that individuals experiencing digestive issues should consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosisโข andโ personalized dietary โadvice.โ reducing fructan intake, throughโ dietary modifications or the use of โคlow-fructan products, may offer relief for โthose โmisdiagnosingโ themselves with gluten โฃsensitivity. The study authors plan further research to investigate โthe long-term effectsโ of fructan restriction and to develop more effective strategies for managing fructan intolerance.