Is Tapioca Syrup Low FODMAP?

Written by Amy Kaczor MS RD LDN, Registered Dietitian | Medically Reviewed by Onikepe Adegbola, MD PhD, Dipl IBLM

Is Tapioca Syrup Low FODMAP?

Tapioca is a wheat-free, gluten-free starch extracted from the cassava plant indigenous to South America (LaFleur, 2022). When certain natural enzymes are added to the starch and hydrolysis occurs, a sweet and mild syrup is made. Compared to artificial sweeteners, tapioca syrup is considered to be a completely natural sweetener with a neutral sweet taste.

Unlike molasses, agave syrup, or golden syrup, tapioca syrup is perfect for baking and is appropriate for individuals following the low FODMAP diet.

According to the Monash Low FODMAP App, a serving size of 2/3 cup of tapioca starch is likely safe for those with irritable bowel syndrome. However, Monash University has not yet analyzed tapioca syrup specifically.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Tapioca Syrup?

While tapioca is very low in fiber, protein, or other nutrients, tapioca is almost entirely composed of starch from the cassava plant, making tapioca syrup a non-nutritive sweetener (Bjarnadottir, 2021).

Many use tapioca syrup to replace honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, or cane sugar in cooking, baking, and in desserts (LaFleur, 2022). Compared to table sugar, tapioca syrup is lower in calories and carbohydrates.

Tapioca Syrup and the Low FODMAP Diet

We hope this post answers your questions about the low FODMAP diet, low FODMAP sweeteners, and tapioca syrup. Stay tuned for more posts about the low FODMAP diet and low FODMAP foods!

Check out our other pages for more information on nutrition, the low FODMAP diet, and managing digestive health.

References

Bjarnadottir, A. (2021, June 1). What is tapioca and what is it good for? Healthline. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tapioca#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

LaFleur, C. (2022, April 29). What is tapioca syrup? Delighted Cooking. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-tapioca-syrup.htm