The Digestive Brief

May 14, 2026

This month we're diving into what's working for IBS management—from low-FODMAP diets in kids to yoga's calming effects—while two active trials investigate celiac disease diagnostics and the gut bacteria connection to digestive disorders. We've also got promising research on ultrasound as a safer diagnostic tool for gut-brain conditions.

Still Recruiting Near You

Food Intolerance

New Diagnostic Test for Celiac Disease Being Studied

Researchers are testing a new drug called HB-2121 that may help diagnose celiac disease. The study will check if it's safe and how it affects the small intestine in people suspected of having celiac disease. You'd take one dose of the drug before a standard endoscopy procedure, then be monitored for 30 days with clinic visits and at-home check-ins.

Who qualifies: Adults 18 and older, any sex, with suspected celiac disease

Where: Palo Alto, CA

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
IBS

Study on Gut Bacteria in IBS and Digestive Disorders

This study uses a special capsule to collect samples of bacteria from your small intestine, comparing people with IBS, other digestive disorders, and healthy people. Understanding these differences in gut bacteria could help explain what causes IBS symptoms. The capsule is swallowed like a pill and collects microbiota samples as it travels through your digestive system.

Who qualifies: Adults ages 18–70, any sex, with or without IBS or functional digestive disorders

Where: Redwood City, CA

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Research Spotlight

Low-FODMAP Diet Works in Kids with IBS — But Response Varies

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2025 · Cristofori F et al.

Key takeaway

If you're considering a low-FODMAP diet for IBS, knowing that it helps most people but not everyone is important — this study used metabolomics to start identifying why some children respond better than others, which could eventually help predict who will benefit most.

Researchers tested the low-FODMAP diet in children with IBS using a crossover design (meaning kids tried the diet and then switched back) and measured chemical markers in their metabolism. They found the diet improved symptoms, but they also discovered biological differences that explained why some kids responded much better than others.

Read on PubMed →

Yoga May Ease IBS by Calming Your Nervous System

International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 2025 · Bhattacharya S et al.

Key takeaway

Since IBS is increasingly recognized as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, this randomized trial showing yoga improves autonomic nervous system function gives you a concrete non-medication option to discuss with your healthcare provider.

Researchers randomly assigned people with IBS to either a yoga intervention or a control group and measured changes in nervous system function, social functioning, and quality of life. The yoga group showed improvements in how their autonomic nervous system responded to stress, along with better overall quality of life.

Read on PubMed →

Simple Ultrasound Could Help Diagnose Gut-Brain Disorders More Safely

JGH Open, 2025 · Mathias RM et al.

Key takeaway

Intestinal ultrasound is a non-invasive tool that dietitians can now use to better assess and rule out other conditions in people with suspected IBS or other gut-brain disorders — this is practical because it means safer, faster evaluations without radiation or invasive procedures.

This study looked at how intestinal ultrasound performed in a dietitian-led clinic for gut-brain interaction disorders and found it added helpful diagnostic information while being safe and practical. The ultrasound helped confirm diagnoses and rule out mimicking conditions that might need different treatment.

Read on PubMed →
This newsletter is published by Après. We make digestive enzyme mints. We fund this because we think people with GI issues deserve better access to information.
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