Did you know that alcohol is the most avoided food and beverage item by individuals with IBD? (PMID: 34924888). Does that mean everyone with IBD should avoid it? What about alcohol in moderation? Does it have any protective effects? Let’s dive in!Alcohol is a known toxin, and yet, it is one of the most commonly consumed things in the world.There is a lot of conflicting evidence around this topic – with some studies saying moderate alcohol consumption can be health promoting, and others saying alcohol consumption can lead to a wide array of illnesses – and here is what we want you to know about the effects of alcohol on the gut.Alcohol, inflammation and its effects on the gut microbiome The gut is full of bacteria – good bacteria, and bad bacteria. Heavy alcohol consumption is known to increase pro-inflammatory bacteria and decrease anti-inflammatory bacteria in the gut, leading to bacterial imbalance and an increase of inflammation (PMID: 34299105). The IOIBD (International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease) guidelines show that in a small study it was found that those with higher alcohol consumption with ulcerative colitis were 2.7 times more likely to flare. A survey showed that of […]
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