Plant-based diet linked to reduced inflammatory bowel disease risk

A new large prospective study links a healthy plant-based diet with a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

The paper looks at 143,434 individuals in the UK who shared their diets. Within an average follow-up of 14.5 years, 1,117 participants developed inflammatory bowel disease, 795 cases of ulcerative colitis, and 322 cases of Crohn’s disease.

Notably, the researchers link a healthy plant-based diet to an 8% lower risk of ulcerative colitis and a 14% lower risk of Crohn’s disease. 

“Our research indicates that a healthy plant-based diet may protect against inflammatory bowel disease, with its anti-inflammatory properties playing a key role,” says corresponding author Zhe Shen, MD, of the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, in China.

Inflammatory vegetable oils and animal fats

The study associates an unhealthy plant-based diet with a 15% higher risk of Crohn’s disease. Results suggest that this was in part due to higher intake of vegetable oils and animal fats.

Meanwhile, the researchers identify fruits and vegetables as protective factors against inflammatory bowel disease.

Blood analyses suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based foods might explain the benefits seen in the study.

The study, published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, builds on previous research supporting that a diet substituting animal products with plant-based foods — whether unprocessed or ultra-processed — and including soybeans, can lead to a reduction in severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women.

Another recent study of 21,561 people found that plant-based diets cultivate healthier gut microbiomes and lead to better cardiometabolic outcomes. Omnivore, vegetarian, and vegan diets are gaining popularity.

Looking at evolving trends in plant-based innovations, Nutrition Insight recently caught up with ADM, ACI Group, Ingood by Olga, and Roquette.