Study shows Mediterranean diet helps Crohn’s Disease remission

As I always do on this blog, today is another opportunity to look closely at diet and IBD. A recent study found that the Mediterranean diet can help with Crohn’s disease symptoms. so let’s take a look at what the Mediterranean diet actually is and how it could potentially help Crohn’s disease symptoms in this Mediterranean Crohn’s disease guide.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

Mediterranean diet is a diet that centres around fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, pulses and wholegrains and avoids processed foods and red meats. It isn’t gluten-free but lots of mediterranean dishes do tend to be naturally gluten free. The Mediterranean diet has been linked from everything to better sleep to heart health but could the mediterranean diet help crohn’s disease potentially?

Can the Mediterranean diet help Crohn’s Disease?

The Crohn’s Colitis Foundation reported that they tested the Mediterranean diet and found some promising results. At week six of the trial, 44% of patients achieved symptomatic remission and 48% achieved clinical remission defined by the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index; which tracks things like bowel movements and pain levels. It also showed 31% of participants reduced their faecal calprotectin markets to less than 250 µg/g.

This was pretty similar to the specific carbohydrate diet-which had figures of 47% and 49%, which was tested alongside. Although this breakthrough is thought to be particularly exciting as SCD is often a much more difficult diet to follow than the Mediterranean diet which, by its nature, can be more straightforward to follow. The Mediterrean diet has also been studied many times for its numerous health benefits that go beyond Crohn’s disease so it is another potential health benefit to add to this diet.

What could be some of the drawbacks of the Mediterranean diet for Crohn’s disease?

Although this study is really promising and also highlights the link between Crohn’s disease and diet; it’s important to stress that the Mediterranean diet for Crohn’s disease isn’t for everyone.

Firstly, the Mediterranean diet promotes pulses, whole grains and vegetables which in their nature are high in fibre; which may not be suitable for those on low residue or low fibre diets; especially for those who have strictures.

Some Mediterranean dishes may be high in onions and garlic meaning they’re not suitable for Crohn’s disease sufferers who follow a low FODMAP diet. It may also have trigger foods. And of course, just under 50% of patients had success with this diet which means that a further 50% didn’t. Diet is personal and we’re still learning about works for others; so don’t take this as a diet you have to follow. Saying that, I myself will be looking into Mediterranean dishes as it can’t hurt for me to try it whilst also on medication.

Let me know your thoughts: does the mediterranean diet work for your crohn’s? Have you tried it?