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Nutrients
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Food Intake and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Food Intake and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 1943

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Won Moon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea
Interests: Crohn's disease; ulcerative colotis; gastrointestinal disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Its prevalence has been rising globally, with dietary factors playing a significant role in its pathogenesis and progression.

Dietary patterns, including high-fat, low-fiber, and processed food intake, have been associated with an increased risk of developing IBD. Conversely, diets rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables may offer protective effects. Additionally, emerging research suggests that specific dietary interventions, such as elimination diets, may influence disease activity and patient outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to explore the intricate relationship between food intake and IBD, highlighting how dietary components affect disease mechanisms, gut microbiota, and clinical outcomes. By compiling diverse research perspectives, we seek to provide comprehensive insights into dietary strategies for IBD management and prevention.

Dr. Won Moon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • ulcerative colitis
  • nutritional management
  • dietary fiber
  • high-fat diet
  • processed foods
  • saturated fats
  • dietary patterns
  • elimination diets
  • gut microbiota
  • immunomodulation
  • inflammatory response
  • disease relapse prevention
  • clinical outcomes
  • nutritional interventions
  • epidemiological studies
  • dietary guidelines

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 6800 KB  
Article
Short Chain Fatty Acids Lower Inflammation and Restore Intestinal Integrity and Function Markers in Mycobacterium paratuberculosis—Infection In Vitro Model
by Piotr P. Lagod, Ahmad Qasem and Saleh A. Naser
Nutrients 2025, 17(23), 3663; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17233663 - 23 Nov 2025
Viewed by 543
Abstract
Background: Infection with Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) is closely associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) development, where excessive inflammation and marked intestinal damage are observed. Objectives: In this study, the role of short chain fatty acids, including propionic acid (PPA) and butyric acid [...] Read more.
Background: Infection with Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) is closely associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) development, where excessive inflammation and marked intestinal damage are observed. Objectives: In this study, the role of short chain fatty acids, including propionic acid (PPA) and butyric acid (BA), was evaluated in an in vitro model, mimicking CD characteristics. Methods: MAP-infected THP-1 macrophages were treated with 1 mM and 10 mM of PPA or BA, and the conditioned media was co-cultured in Caco-2 cells. Results: Both PPA and BA caused an M2 shift with significant downregulation (p-value < 0.0001) in pro-inflammatory markers at both the RNA and protein levels. The downregulation is most likely due to the antimicrobial properties of PPA and BA. MAP growth was inhibited by several folds in MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) culture media supplemented with PPA or BA. Dysfunctional Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells’ integrity and function, due to MAP infection, were restored with PPA and BA treatment. Specifically, NOX1 expression was significantly decreased in 10 mM of PPA or BA-treated cells (p < 0.001), as validated by RT-PCR and microscopy. PPA and BA restored tight junction integrity by decreasing Claudin-2 expression in the MAP group. Conclusions: The data clearly demonstrated that short chain fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties with downstream beneficial effects on damaged intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting potential benefits as a dietary supplement for CD patients, particularly those who are not pregnant, due to a possible increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) development in offspring associated with propionic acid exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Intake and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
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12 pages, 785 KB  
Article
Ultra-Processed Food Intake in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Pilot Case–Control Study
by Emese Kasznár, Dorina Bajzát, Anna Karoliny, Judit Szentannay, András Szabó, Eszter Gombos, Vivien Regián, Anikó Havasi, Erzsébet Pálfi and Katalin Eszter Müller
Nutrients 2025, 17(22), 3532; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17223532 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased globally, particularly in developed countries. UPFs are energy-dense and nutrient-poor, and they often contain additives that can disrupt gut flora and increase intestinal permeability. There is evidence to suggest that processed foods may [...] Read more.
Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased globally, particularly in developed countries. UPFs are energy-dense and nutrient-poor, and they often contain additives that can disrupt gut flora and increase intestinal permeability. There is evidence to suggest that processed foods may contribute to the onset of IBD and also impact its progression and response to treatment. This study investigated whether children with IBD consume more UPFs than healthy controls and examined the association between UPF intake and disease activity. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional case–control study recruited children with IBD from the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic at the Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute in Budapest, Hungary, between December 2023 and February 2025. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were also enrolled. Dietary intake was assessed using two days of 24 h recalls. UPF intake was categorized using the NOVA system and expressed as a percentage of total daily energy intake. Results: A total of 47 children with IBD were matched with HCs. There was no difference in total energy intake between the two groups. Children with UC had a significantly higher intake of UPFs than HCs (MD: 10.5%, p = 0.02), whereas no difference was observed in children with CD after excluding oral nutritional support. No difference in UPF intake was observed between children with active or inactive disease. However, children receiving biological therapy consumed significantly fewer UPFs than those receiving other treatments (MD: 8%, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Children with IBD consume more UPFs compared to HC. The UPF intake of children with CD was not lower than healthy children despite the recommended Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Intake and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
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Review

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17 pages, 799 KB  
Review
Ultra-Processed Foods and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review of Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Dietary Implications
by So Yoon Choi and Won Moon
Nutrients 2025, 17(24), 3852; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243852 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 570
Abstract
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), industrial formulations rich in refined substrates and additives, have been increasingly examined as plausible contributors to gut dysbiosis and mucosal inflammation relevant to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This narrative review synthesizes epidemiological, mechanistic, and interventional evidence on UPF intake and [...] Read more.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), industrial formulations rich in refined substrates and additives, have been increasingly examined as plausible contributors to gut dysbiosis and mucosal inflammation relevant to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This narrative review synthesizes epidemiological, mechanistic, and interventional evidence on UPF intake and IBD based on a structured literature search from 2010 to 2025. Large-scale prospective cohorts consistently associate higher UPF intake with increased risk of Crohn’s disease (CD), whereas findings for ulcerative colitis (UC) remain weaker or inconsistent. Among individuals with established IBD, observational data suggest that greater UPF consumption correlates with higher disease activity and relapse, although potential confounding and reverse causation must be considered. Preclinical studies demonstrate that specific UPF constituents—including emulsifiers, carrageenan, maltodextrin, microparticles, and excess dietary salt—can disrupt epithelial barrier integrity, alter the gut microbiota, and activate immune pathways, providing biological plausibility while underscoring translational gaps. Interventional evidence, particularly for exclusive enteral nutrition and the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet, suggests clinical benefit from reducing UPFs or selected additives, mainly in CD, though data in adults and UC remain limited. Overall, current evidence indicates that dietary strategies to limit UPF exposure may represent a promising and modifiable component of IBD management. Future research should prioritize standardized exposure assessment, mechanism-based human trials, and personalized nutrition approaches to refine clinical applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Intake and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
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