Concerns about coconut milk for IBDs?

[tex]

If I tolerate guar gum should I not consume it???

As Gabes mentioned, guar is a legume (it's not soy, but a legume). Many years ago we grew about 15 or 20 acres of it a couple of years in a row, as an experiment.

That said, if it doesn't bother you, I see no reason why you shouldn't use it. As far as I'm aware, it's a healthy product. I use almond milk that contains guar gum, and it doesn't cause any problems for me, either. (Of course, I'm not sensitive to soy, but I do generally avoid it.)

Tex

[JFR]

I make my own coconut milk, just shredded coconut and hot water in a blender in a 1 to 2 ratio then strained through a nut milk bag.

[Patricia]

Thanks for all the information!

I might try to make my own coconut milk in a month or two and see how that goes over. If it doesn't go well, I assume it will be the fructose malabsorption.

Does anybody know how much fructose is in the different coconut products? Coconut flour, flakes, water, oil, milk... Are there substantial differences in fructose content?

Love, Patricia

[JFR]

Here's what I found from Chris Kresser about coconut milk:

"Studies have found that restricting FODMAPs can significantly improve the symptoms associated with IBS, IBD and fructose malabsorption.

What does this have to do with coconut milk, you ask? According to Drs. Gibson & Barrett, experts in fructose malabsorption, coconut milk is is a FODMAP and should be avoided by people with digestive conditions like IBS & IBD.

According to NutritionData.com, coconut milk has very little sugar of any kind – including fructose. Nevertheless, I do have patients that cannot even tolerate homemade coconut milk (which has no guar gum in it), even though they are fine with coconut oil. I assume that they are reacting to the fructose in the coconut milk – but I can’t be sure."

As a general rule I would assume that the higher the sugar content of the coconut product the higher the fructose level.

Jean

[Pat]

Thank you all for your input!!!

I really don't think Chris Kresser is aware that coconut milk is not a FODMAP. I am extremely sensitive to FODMAPS but do not react to coconut milk even with guar gum. I do react to coconut oil but I think that is just too much oil. But I am different than most on here. For now I will probably stick to the guar gum but will do an experiment with making my own coconut milk and see what happens.

Thanks again!

Pat

[tex]

Pat,

I agree. IMO, way too many members here can tolerate coconut just fine for it to be a significant FODMAP issue. Theory is fine, but real world results trump theory every time.

Tex