Mediterranean Diet and Increased Fiber Consumption potentially lowering the risk of Crohn's disease
A growing body of evidence suggests that diet plays a significant role in the prevention and management of Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
According to a recent study, a Mediterranean-style diet and high fiber intake are associated with a lower risk of developing Crohn’s disease, while ultraprocessed foods and an inflammatory diet are linked to a higher risk.
The study, published in a leading medical journal, is based on a systematic review and meta-analyses of 72 prospective studies. The research found that inflammatory diets and ultraprocessed foods increased the risk of Crohn’s disease, whereas Mediterranean diets, healthy dietary patterns, unprocessed/minimally processed foods, and high fiber intake were protective factors.
One of the key findings of the study was that greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a significantly lower risk of later-onset Crohn’s disease. The study found that a population attributable risk of 12% for poor adherence could be attributed to the dietary choices.
Mechanistically, inflammatory diets high in certain fats, carbohydrates, emulsifiers, and food colorants may trigger gut inflammation by activating immune responses and disrupting the gut microbiota, which is central to Crohn's pathogenesis. Conversely, the Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, fiber, and anti-inflammatory nutrients likely contributes to maintaining gut barrier integrity and a balanced microbiome, reducing inflammation and disease risk.
The study also highlights the importance of dietary discussions for patients with an increased risk of Crohn's disease or early IBD symptoms. Dietary counseling for these patients should emphasize minimizing ultra-processed food consumption.
While the study found a significant association between diet and Crohn's disease risk, it did not find a consistent association between food patterns or foods and ulcerative colitis risk. More research is required to further understand the relationship between food and ulcerative colitis.
Interestingly, the study found that eating high amounts of lean fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy decreases IBD risk in offspring. Additionally, diet diversity during pregnancy may help decrease the risk of offspring developing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
In summary, diets rich in unprocessed foods typical of the Mediterranean pattern appear to protect against Crohn’s disease, while diets high in ultraprocessed and inflammatory foods increase susceptibility, likely via effects on gut inflammation and the microbiome. This highlights the importance of dietary choices in Crohn’s disease prevention and management.
References: [1] Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) [2] Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology [3] BMJ [5] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- The Mediterranean-style diet, with its high fiber intake, has been linked to a lower risk of developing Crohn’s disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
- Conversely, ultraprocessed foods and an inflammatory diet are associated with a higher risk of Crohn’s disease, as revealed by the research published in a leading medical journal.
- The study found that greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet significantly decreased the risk of later-onset Crohn’s disease, with a population attributable risk of 12% for poor adherence being attributed to dietary choices.
- Inflammatory diets, which may trigger gut inflammation through immune responses and microbiota disruption, have been identified as risk factors for Crohn's disease.
- The Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods, fiber, and anti-inflammatory nutrients, likely contributes to maintaining gut barrier integrity and a balanced microbiome, reducing inflammation and disease risk.
- Dietary discussions are important for patients at increased risk of Crohn's disease or early IBD symptoms, with dietary counseling emphasizing minimizing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- While the study found a significant association between diet and Crohn's disease risk, further research is needed to understand the relationship between food and ulcerative colitis, as consistent associations between food patterns or foods and ulcerative colitis risk were not found.
