Important Parts of Nutrition in Chronic Bowel Diseases
More than two-thirds of our body is made up of water, and most of its vital functions require fluid. For example, blood is mainly composed of water, our cells depend on water in order to function, and body temperature is also regulated by fluid (sweating). In a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with diarrhea, the need increases because the body loses fluid.
For this reason, it is important to make sure you are getting enough fluid. Without water, your body cannot function properly. You get part of the fluid you need from food, and the rest by drinking. A healthy adult needs to consume 40 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day. Depending on the symptoms of chronic bowel disease, this amount needs to be adjusted for you.
Mineral water is particularly beneficial for hydration. Non-carbonated mineral water is generally better tolerated by chronic bowel patients. By consuming mineral water, you also obtain important minerals. Unsweetened light herbal teas or diluted freshly squeezed fruit juice are also beneficial. For fruit juices, it's best to use low-acid varieties such as peach or pear juice, because acid can irritate the intestines. Coffee and tea consumption also stimulate bowel movements. For this reason, they are not a good choice in the presence of diarrhea.
RECOMMENDED FOODS FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHN'S DISEASE
In the paleo-autoimmune protocol, the following foods have been associated with symptom improvement in clinical studies:
- Fish (wild-caught)
- Organic meat
- Organic eggs
- Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, and apple cider vinegar
- Bone broth
- Fruit, especially blueberries and aronia berries
- Far Eastern spices such as ginger, cardamom, fennel seed, and turmeric
- Mushrooms, medicinal mushrooms and their extracts (reishi extract, lion's mane extract)
- Cranberry
- Pomegranate
FOODS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHN'S DISEASE
These foods have been associated with worsening symptoms, and it is recommended that they be removed from the diet for a while to see if symptoms improve:
- Gluten-containing grains
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners (sorbitol)
- High-fiber foods (especially when the disease is active)
- Acidic fruit juices and carbonated drinks
- Fast food
- Salty and spicy foods — also foods containing salt, such as sausage and salty cheese
- Legumes
- Alcohol
- Nuts, peanuts
- Dairy products
- Honey
- Ready-made packaged foods
- Citrus and stone fruits
- Onion and cabbage
- Fatty and fried foods
- Legumes
It is important to give the gut the foods and nutrients it truly needs. You can support your gut by integrating healthy eating habits into your daily life. For more information on this and related topics, you may benefit from my book "The Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide."
Hüseyin Nazlıkul
Odatv.com