The Impact of Dietary Interventions on the Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background and Aims Diet plays an integral role in the modulation of the intestinal environment, with the potential to be modified for management of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It has been hypothesised that poor “Western-style” dietary patterns select for a microbiota that drives IBD inflammation and that through dietary intervention, a healthy microbiota may be restored. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and assess current available evidence regarding the influence of diet on the intestinal microbiota composition in IBD patients and how this may affect disease activity. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2013 to June 2023, to identify studies investigating diet and microbiota in IBD. Results Thirteen primary studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for narrative synthesis. Reported associations between diet and microbiota in IBD were conflicting due to the considerable degree of heterogeneity between studies. Nine intervention studies trialled specific diets and did not demonstrate significant shifts in the diversity and abundance of intestinal microbial communities or improvement in disease outcomes, whilst the remaining four cross-sectional studies did not find a specific microbial signature associated with habitual dietary patterns in IBD patients. Conclusions Diet modulates the gut microbiota, and this may have implications for IBD; however, the body of evidence does not currently support clear dietary patterns or food constituents that are associated with a specific microbiota profile or disease marker in IBD patients. Further research is required with a focus on robust and consistent methodology to achieve improved identification of associations.

How the Western Diet Thwarts the Epigenetic Efforts of Gut Microbes in Ulcerative Colitis and Its Association with Colorectal Cancer

“…Ulcerative colitis (UC), mainly associated with chronic inflammation and ulceration of the colon, is a significant risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer [ 6 ]. Different studies have found that UC patients who consume a high-fiber, low-fat diet show reduced inflammation and microbial dysbiosis [ 7 , 8 ]. Although the intestinal microbiota is sensitive to different environmental cues (including diet, stress, medications, etc.)…”