# Mendelian Randomization Analysis Reveals Causal Associations Between Beverages and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Alcohol, but Not Others

## TL;DR

This study finds that drinking alcohol more often increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, especially for people with mental health conditions.

## Contribution

The study provides genetic evidence that alcohol intake causally increases IBS risk, partially mediated by psychiatric disorders.

## Key findings

- Alcohol intake frequency is positively associated with IBS risk (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.09–1.26).
- Psychiatric disorders mediate 25.22% to 45.77% of the alcohol-IBS relationship.
- Reducing alcohol intake may help prevent IBS, particularly in those with mental health conditions.

## Abstract

Observational studies have suggested that beverage intake could have potential connections with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the association patterns and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The study identified potential causal relationships between alcohol intake and IBS, showing positive associations for alcohol intake frequency (odds ratio = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.09–1.26; p < 0.001). Psychiatric disorders were found to play mediative roles with mediation effects of 25.22%, 45.77%, and 12.10% for depression (broad), major depression disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, respectively. These findings suggest that reducing alcohol intake may help prevent IBS, especially in individuals with psychiatric conditions.

Genetic evidence links alcohol to increased IBS risk, mediated by psychiatric factors (25%–45%), informing new management strategies.