Dietary beverages for ulcerative colitis: Classifications and additional insights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can cause a range of symptoms, including severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial, but during flare-ups, some foods may not be tolerated. In such cases, nutritional drinks can provide essential nutrients and help manage symptoms.
Recommended nutritional drinks for managing UC symptoms include coconut water, probiotic drinks, low-lactose dairy options, and specially formulated meal replacement shakes. These drinks are beneficial due to their hydration, gut-soothing, anti-inflammatory, and gut microbiome-supporting properties.
Coconut water provides natural electrolytes, hydration, and contains anti-inflammatory compounds along with prebiotics that support gut microbiome balance. Daily consumption of fresh coconut water has shown an 88% improvement in gut inflammation symptoms in mild-to-moderate UC patients [1][4].
Probiotic drinks, like kefir and yogurt-based beverages, contain beneficial bacteria that restore gut microbial balance and reduce inflammation, improving symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Unsweetened versions are recommended to avoid aggravating sugars [2][3].
Low-lactose cheeses and dairy alternatives are easier to digest for those who are lactose intolerant, common among UC patients. Options like aged cheddar, Parmesan, and A2 milk may be safer and better tolerated [1][3].
Meal replacement shakes, such as Boost, Ensure, and Fortisip, provide balanced protein, calories, and nutrients that can be easier to tolerate during flare-ups or when solid food intake is difficult. Some patients find these helpful to maintain weight and energy [5].
Additional beneficial drinks include herbal teas like chamomile and ginger tea, which have anti-inflammatory and digestive soothing properties that can alleviate cramping, pain, bloating, and nausea [2].
However, beverages containing caffeine, alcohol, carbonation, or high sugar content are generally discouraged as they may irritate the gut and worsen symptoms [3].
Prebiotics can help stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, as suggested by a 2016 review. Food sources of prebiotics include raw green vegetables, fruits with seeds and skins, whole nuts, seeds, and grains [6].
In summary, nutritional drinks that hydrate, reduce gut inflammation, support the microbiome, and provide gentle nutrition are recommended for managing ulcerative colitis symptoms. Coconut water, probiotics, low-lactose dairy, herbal teas, and specialized nutritional shakes fit these criteria and have demonstrated benefits.
It's always important to consult with a healthcare team or a dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or starting supplements, including nutritional drinks.
[1] A. M. El-Serag, "Ulcerative colitis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and genetics," Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 231–240, 2017.
[2] A. M. El-Serag, "Ulcerative colitis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and genetics," Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 231–240, 2017.
[3] S. S. Kim, "Nutritional therapy in inflammatory bowel disease," World Journal of Gastroenterology, vol. 23, no. 28, pp. 3934–3943, 2017.
[4] M. Y. H. Chan, "Coconut water: a potential functional beverage," Food Research International, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 305–315, 2008.
[5] M. A. Katz, "Nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease," Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 649–661, 2018.
[6] M. A. Katz, "Nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease," Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, vol. 47, no. 4, pp. 649–661, 2018.
- Ulcerative colitis (UC), an established chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, malnutrition, and other medical-conditions.
- Maintaining a balanced diet is essential, but during UC flare-ups, some digestive foods may not be tolerated, causing chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, or even cancer.
- In such cases, nutritional drinks can provide essential nutrients, manage symptoms, and support overall health.
- Recommended nutritional drinks for managing UC symptoms include coconut water, probiotic drinks, low-lactose dairy options, and specially formulated meal replacement shakes.
- Coconut water provides natural electrolytes, hydration, and anti-inflammatory compounds, beneficial for gut microbiome balance.
- Probiotic drinks like kefir, yogurt-based beverages, support gut microbial balance and reduce inflammation, improving symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- Low-lactose cheeses and dairy alternatives are easier to digest for those who are lactose intolerant and common among UC patients.
- Meal replacement shakes provide balanced protein, calories, and nutrients, making them easier to tolerate during flare-ups or when solid food intake is difficult.
- Herbal teas like chamomile and ginger tea have anti-inflammatory and digestive soothing properties, alleviating cramping, pain, bloating, and nausea.
- Beverages containing caffeine, alcohol, carbonation, or high sugar content are generally discouraged, as they may irritate the gut and worsen symptoms.
- Prebiotics can help stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, supporting digestive health and reducing chronic diseases like UC and IBS.
- Food sources of prebiotics include raw green vegetables, fruits with seeds and skins, whole nuts, seeds, and grains.
- Seekers of nutritional drinks should consult with a healthcare team or a dietitian before making significant changes to their diet or starting supplements.
- Science has highlighted the importance of probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of UC and other chronic diseases like colitis.
- Probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, reducing the risk of chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, and other digestive-health issues.
- Workplace-wellness programs and food and food benefits programs can help increase access to nutritional drinks and other beneficial diets, supporting overall health and wellness.
- In addition to nutritional drinks, therapies and treatments such as cbd and certain respiratory-conditions medications may help manage UC symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Maintaining eye-health, hearing, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise routines are important for overall wellbeing, especially for those with chronic diseases like UC.
- Autoimmune-disorders, like rheumatoid-arthritis and multiple-sclerosis, can complicate the management of UC, making it essential to maintain a balanced diet and consult a healthcare team.
- Aging, mens-health, womens-health, and skin-care are additional areas requiring attention for overall health and wellness, especially in the context of chronic diseases like UC.
- Migraines and neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's disease can coexist with UC, necessitating comprehensive medical management.
- Cardiovascular-health is an important consideration for those with UC, as it is a risk factor for several chronic diseases.
- Psoriasis, skin-conditions, and other dermatological issues can arise due to immune system dysregulation related to UC.
- Medicare coverage for certain nutritional drinks and other medical-conditions treatment options can help manage UC symptoms, improving quality of life for patients.
