Role of an Exclusion Diet (Reduced Disaccharides, Saturated Fats, Emulsifiers, Red and Ultraprocessed Meats) in Maintaining the Remission of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Adults

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Inflammatory bowel diseases are a main focus in current research, with diet being an emerging therapeutic line due to its links in both onset and progression. A Western-style diet high in processed foods, food additives, red meat, and animal fat has been linked to a higher risk of developing IBD. The aim of this study was to establish an association between an anti-inflammatory exclusion diet and maintenance of remission in IBD. Also, we assessed the efficacy and safety of this diet compared to a non-dietary group and the possible therapeutic effect of this diet in the maintenance of IBD remission. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 patients with IBD were screened for inclusion, but 21 did not met the inclusion criteria. Thus, 139 patients were assigned to either an exclusion diet or a regular diet according to their choice. Results: Clinical remission after six months was maintained in the exclusion diet arm (100%). In the control arm, four patients had clinically active disease (one patient with UC and three with CD), and 90 patients maintained the clinical remission state (95.7%) (p-value = 0.157). Regarding biochemical markers, ESR at baseline was higher in the exclusion diet arm: 29 (5–62) versus in the control arm 16 (4–48) (p-value = 0.019), but six months after, the groups were similar (p-value = 0.440). Conclusions: Patients who followed an exclusion diet maintained clinical remission more frequently. However, the threshold for statistical significance was not achieved. There was also a trend of improvement in inflammation tests in the intervention group.

The Bidirectional Link between Nutritional Factors and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Dietary Deficits, Habits, and Recommended Interventions—A Narrative Review

“…In contrast, the features of a Mediterranean style diet with a higher consumption of fruits, vegetables and phytochemicals have been associated with an increased gut microbial diversity. The results of these studies have been relatively consistent, pointing to a lower risk of IBD among people who consume more fruits and vegetables, and a higher risk in people who consume more animal fats and refined sugars [65][66][67].…”

Research advancements and perspectives of inflammatory bowel disease: A comprehensive review

“…There is currently no dietary approach that can be successfully applied to all patients with IBD. 53 Further clinical trials are needed to develop personalized dietary patterns that are more appropriate for IBD patients.…”

Impact of Dietary Patterns in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Subtypes

“…A dietary pattern characterized by low fiber content, high fat content and high carbohydrate content has been linked to the development of IBD. This association is thought to be mediated through the influence of the diet on insulin resistance, gut permeability, proinflammatory signaling, and gut microbiota dysbiosis (12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”