A low-fiber Diet is referred to as a low-residue diet. In general, it is recognised that fruits and vegetables have a high amount of fibre. Fiber facilitates bowel movements, enhancing digestion. For this reason, it is generally a good idea to consume high-fiber food items. Avoid fruits with high fibre content when following a low-residue diet, and always read the packaging before consuming any packaged foods. We will go into more detail about the benefits and drawbacks of a low-residue diet in this article.
According to the study, there is no complete exclusion of any form of food product when on a low-residue diet. Avoiding adding anything with fiber is an important thing to remember. Fruits and oranges, for instance, are abundant in fiber. However, you can choose orange juice if you wish to include it in your diet. It instantly removes the fiber content. Doctors recommend Low-carb diets for a variety of clinical conditions and diseases. Until recently, only liquid-containing diets were recommended for bowel preparation before colonoscopies and colorectal surgery. Numerous studies have shown improved or equal intestinal hygiene in patients who have eaten fewer leftovers than liquid foods prepared for their intestines. Doctors often prescribe a low-residue diet to patients if they have any inflammatory bowel disease. Although, it has been found that there is no support for therapeutic benefits in these patients. Doctors recommend low-carb diets for just one reason, which is to reduce the risk of increasing existing inflammation by reducing colon function and allowing “bowel relaxation,” for patients with infectious colitis or malignant diverticulitis.
Pros of a low-residue diet
Preps the bowel before surgery or colonoscopy
Before colonoscopy or bowel surgery, doctors recommend a liquid diet. This is also termed bowel prep, where the bowel system is being prepared for the surgery. It is very important to keep the colon clean before performing a colonoscopy. The importance of a low-residue and liquid diet can also be seen in the study by NCBI.
Helps with Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common term used for disorders that involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, more about which can be understood in the study by NHP. The types of Inflammatory bowel disease include Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In this disease, the digestive tract swells up. This causes discomfort and pain in the bowel movement.
May reduce diarrhea
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, diarrhea causes loose, watery stools (bowel movements). You may have diarrhea if you have loose stools three or more times in one day. Acute diarrhea is a type of diarrhea that lasts a short time. It is a common problem and can occur in any age group. It usually lasts about one or two days, but it may last longer according to the seriousness of the condition.
It May acts as a transition from liquids to solids
Many people follow a liquid-only diet. Although it is important to sometimes switch back to solid food. The low-residue diet helps in this transition. If after a long time of a liquid diet, you suddenly shift to a solid diet, it might cause trouble. The body will resist the change in that case. It is important to make the shift gradually and not suddenly.
Helps resolve Gastroparesis
If you are suffering from Gastroparesis, a disease-causing delayed gastric emptying. The low-residue diet will be very helpful for you. More about Gastroparesis can be referred to from the study by the NIH. Gastroparesis is generally caused because of diarrhea. It makes the stomach feel full shortly after starting the meal. This can also be cured by following a low-residue diet.
Cons of a low-residue diet
Reduces fiber content
Fiber content is very important for a healthy body. If we have less fiber in a normal body, it would cause other health problems. Having a low-residue diet prohibits the consumption of fiber. This creates a bad impact on our bodies. A low-residue diet is specifically helpful for special situations. If you do not have any such trouble where you have not been advised to follow the low-residue diet, you should keep the fiber content in your diet.
May cause nutrient deficiencies
Due to the elimination of fiber, there are a lot of products that are restricted. You will not be able to include such food items. This will in turn make you avoid some important nutrients. This may lead to certain nutrient deficiencies.
Reduces bowel movement
Bowel in our system is created by the fiber we consume. The fiber content balances the bowel in the body. If you are following a low-residue diet, it will reduce bowel production in the body. This will be harmful to your body and may lead to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.
May cause excess hunger
Fiber is broken down slowly and gradually, once it enters the stomach. If you start feeling hungry soon after your meal, there is a possibility that you need more fiber in your body. Due to the slow breakdown, your stomach remains full for a long time, making you feel full for longer. It might not seem like a big issue. But actually, it is. If you start eating more, you will end up losing a large amount of weight. This can in turn cause high blood sugar or diabetes.
Summary
In this article we understand the low-residue diet, talking about it in depth. It is generally advisable to eat high-fiber food products. In a low-residue diet, you need to avoid fruits containing fiber content and products like nuts, seeds, coconut, jam, marmalade, pickles, olives, relish, and horseradish. It is to be made sure that you avoid all desserts containing nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut, or made from whole grains or bran. We have also discussed the pros and cons of the low-residue diet.
The benefits of a low-residue diet include bowel preparation before to surgery or a colonoscopy, which aids in the treatment of Gastroparesis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Additionally, it is highly helpful for those who are switching from a liquid diet to a regular, healthy solid diet. One drawback of the low-residue diet is that it has less fibre, which in turn causes bowel movements to be less frequent. If continued for a longer time, it might potentially result in vitamin shortages. Additionally, it could result in excessive hunger and weight gain. Only keep up your low-residue until you really must.
