Prebiotics

Do prebiotics help with irritable bowel syndrome?

Updated 4 Nov 2026

Short answer

Reviews do not support it so far. A 2019 review of 11 trials with 729 adults with irritable bowel syndrome or similar disorders found no benefit on overall response, pain, bloating, flatulence or quality of life.[1] A 2024 review found no significant improvement with prebiotics or synbiotics, and a 2023 review called their effect uncertain because of too few trials.[2][3]

One small trial in 44 people found that 3.5 g a day of GOS improved symptoms.[4] Some prebiotics can also make symptoms worse. In 29 people with irritable bowel syndrome, 13 reached the symptom threshold after 40 g of inulin, against 6 after glucose.[5] Clinical diets for this condition often limit these same substances as FODMAPs, a group of fermentable carbohydrates.[6]

Sources (6)

  1. Prebiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional bowel disorders in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Wilson B, Rossi M, Dimidi E, Whelan K Am J Clin Nutr, 2019. PMID 30949662
  2. The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Wu Y, Li Y, Zheng Q, Li L Nutrients, 2024. PMID 38999862
  3. Efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Zhang WX, Shi LB, Zhou MS, Wu J, Shi HY J Med Microbiol, 2023. PMID 37772692
  4. Clinical trial: the effects of a trans-galactooligosaccharide prebiotic on faecal microbiota and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Silk DB, Davis A, Vulevic J, Tzortzis G, Gibson GR Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2009. PMID 19053980
  5. Colon Hypersensitivity to Distension, Rather Than Excessive Gas Production, Produces Carbohydrate-Related Symptoms in Individuals With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Major G, Pritchard S, Murray K, Alappadan JP, Hoad CL, Marciani L, et al. Gastroenterology, 2017. PMID 27746233
  6. Rapidly fermentable prebiotic substrates: Benefits, FODMAP effects and host tolerance. Ibrahim F Clin Nutr ESPEN, 2026. PMID 42762890

More about prebiotics

What are prebiotics?Do prebiotics change your gut bacteria?How long do prebiotics take to work?Which foods contain prebiotics?What are prebiotics used for?Is a synbiotic better than a prebiotic alone?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.