Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of your intestines. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, and weight loss. The goal for treating ulcerative colitis is to control symptoms and allow patients to live a more normal life.
Diet plays a vital role in this treatment plan as well. This post will discuss the best and worst foods for ulcerative colitis diet plans based on what has been shown to help or hurt symptoms in research studies!
1) Flax seeds (ground):
Flax seeds are rich in fiber, which is beneficial for ulcerative colitis treatment and maintaining healthy bowel movements. When taken regularly, flaxseed oil has been shown to help reduce inflammation and prevent relapse in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis.
2)Fatty fish:
Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-three fatty acids that have been shown to reduce inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis. Omega-three fatty acid supplements can also be effective at reducing symptoms of active disease. Make sure the fatty fish you choose is low in mercury.
3)Oats:
Oats may help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of active disease. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis who ate 50 grams (about one cup) of oats for eight weeks had fewer bleeding and urgency issues than those on a placebo diet. A separate study of patients with ulcerative colitis found that those who ate more dietary fiber had a lower risk of disease flares.
4)Fruits and vegetables:
Fruit and vegetable fiber has been associated with improved bowel function in ulcerative colitis patients. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, those who ate more fruits and vegetables had fewer disease flares than those on a placebo diet. Aim for at least five servings per day!
5)Beans:
Beans are rich in soluble fiber, associated with improved bowel function and reduced risk of flares. A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed that those who ate more beans had fewer disease flare-ups than those on a placebo diet. However, eating too many may increase your gas intake!
6)Soy:
Soy is rich in fiber and antioxidants. A study published in the journal Gastroenterology found that soy supplements may help reduce disease flare-ups for ulcerative colitis patients. However, there are concerns about overeating soy due to its estrogenic effects on the body, so moderation is key!
7)Green tea:
Green tea has been shown to help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis. Studies have also found that green tea may improve symptoms of active disease in patients who drink three cups per day for eight weeks. However, the caffeine in green tea can be hard on your stomach, so use caution if you find it difficult to digest!
8)Turmeric:
Turmeric is a spice used in many curries that has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can inhibit inflammatory pathways and help treat mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis when taken regularly over eight weeks. However, further studies are needed to determine whether it's effective for more severe symptoms.
9)Olive oil:
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and may help reduce oxidative stress associated with ulcerative colitis. A study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that olive oil extract supplements improved symptoms of active disease in patients who took three capsules per day for eight weeks. The fatty acids can also protect against damage to the intestinal cells.
10)Avocado:
Avocados are rich in healthy monounsaturated fat and antioxidants that can be beneficial for ulcerative colitis treatment. A study published in Nutrition Research found that those who ate more avocado had less inflammation than those on a placebo diet. However, it's important to moderate your portion size as overeating may increase your calorie intake.
11)Garlic:
Studies have found that garlic can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis, but there are no human studies to determine whether it's effective for active disease symptoms. More research is needed on its potential benefits!
Some foods are tough on your stomach and should be avoided if you have ulcerative colitis. Many of these can irritate the lining of your intestines, which is why they may cause symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Avoiding them has been linked to reduced risk of flare-ups, but it's important to note that the evidence is not as strong as for some of the foods listed above.
1)Sugar:
Sugar can cause your blood sugar to spike, which may lead to a sudden dip in energy and increase symptoms of active disease. In one study published in The Journal of Nutrition, patients with ulcerative colitis who consumed more than 30 grams (about two tablespoons) per day had an increased risk of relapse compared to those on a lower-sugar diet.
2)Caffeinated drinks:
Coffee, tea, and soda may all irritate your stomach lining. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, those who drank caffeinated beverages had more disease flares than those on a placebo diet. If you drink these regularly, try cutting back or replacing them with decaf to see if it improves your symptoms.
3)Alcohol:
Alcohol may worsen your symptoms of active disease, so it's best to avoid drinking while you're experiencing flare-ups. However, some research has found that alcohol can contribute to ulcerative colitis flares more than others might think. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients with milder forms of ulcerative colitis who drank alcohol had more disease flares than those on a placebo diet.
4)Spicy foods:
Spices like chili powder, paprika, and cayenne can irritate your gut lining. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, those who consumed spicy foods had more disease flares than those on a placebo diet. If you love adding spice to your meals, try milder spices or cooking methods like steaming to see if it improves your symptoms.
5)Fatty foods:
Eating fatty or greasy meals may lead to abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea in some patients. In a study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, those who ate more fried food had worse disease symptoms than those on a placebo diet. However, it's important to note that this was not seen with other types of fats like olive oil.
6)Carbonated drinks:
Carbonated beverages like soda and sparkling water may irritate your stomach lining. In a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, those who drank carbonated beverages had more disease flares than those on a placebo diet. If you drink these regularly, try cutting back or replacing them with plain seltzer or another non-carbonated drink to see if it improves your symptoms.
In conclusion, it is essential to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. The best way to reduce your risk for ulcerative colitis flare-ups is by eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties linked to reduced disease activity.