Patcharatrakul and colleagues conducted a randomized crossover study among twenty one patients who had overlapping gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study looked at the effects of rice noodles [low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs)] and wheat noodles (high FODMAPs) on GER symptoms, and assessed the correlation between GERD symptoms and intestinal gas production.

• The scores for heartburn and regurgitation were found to be highest in most patients (19 out of 21) during the first 15 min following meals.
• At 15 min post-lunch, wheat appeared to be significantly associated with more regurgitation and heartburn compared to rice.
• At 15 min post-breakfast, wheat was associated with more aggravation of regurgitation compared to rice.
• Wheat ingestion had a significant correlation with higher hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄) levels after lunch compared to rice, while gas levels prior to lunch were similar (p > 0.05).
• The area under the curve of H₂ and CH₄ levels 15 min after a lunch of wheat had a moderate correlation with regurgitation severity at 15 min (r = 0.56, p < 0.05).

Wheat was associated with more GERD symptoms compared to rice in patients with overlapping GERD-IBS.

The effect was evident immediately after lunch and was tied to more intestinal gas production.

A low FODMAPs diet may be associated with a relief in postprandial GERD symptoms in patients with GERD-IBS overlap.

Source: Patcharatrakul T, Linlawan S, Plaidum S, Gonlachanvit S. The Effect of Rice vs. Wheat Ingestion on Postprandial Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) Symptoms in Patients with Overlapping GERD-Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Foods. 2021 Dec 23;11(1):26.