Inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The condition alternates between periods of remission and sudden flare-ups marked by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
It can be difficult to predict when symptoms will return.
A large British study, published in the journal Gut, therefore investigated whether flare-ups can be predicted at an earlier stage.
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Meat may play a role
The study followed more than 2,600 patients with bowel diseases from 47 hospitals across the United Kingdom.
Participants were observed for around four years and provided both stool samples and information about their diet.
Researchers found that people with ulcerative colitis who consumed the most meat had nearly twice the risk of a severe flare-up compared with those who consumed the least.
This association was not observed in patients with Crohn’s disease.
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No clear link was found between flare-ups and the intake of fiber, ultra-processed foods, polyunsaturated fats, or alcohol.
Test can predict flare-ups
A key part of the study focused on the protein calprotectin, which is measured in stool and indicates signs of intestinal inflammation.
High levels in patients without symptoms were clearly associated with later flare-ups, in some cases up to two years in advance.
The researchers emphasize that the study is observational and therefore cannot prove that meat directly triggers disease worsening.
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However, the findings suggest that regular testing combined with dietary information may help doctors detect problems earlier and better adjust treatment.
Sources: Medical News Today, and Gut.
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