A new study tested whether eating a natural whole food diet could help people with Crohn’s disease feel better. Twenty-eight adults with mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease were split into two groups - one followed a healthy whole food diet while the other continued eating their usual foods. After 8 weeks, people who ate the healthier diet were more likely to have their symptoms go into remission. The study suggests that focusing on overall diet quality, rather than avoiding specific foods, might be a safe and effective way to help manage Crohn’s disease alongside medical treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a natural whole food diet helps reduce Crohn’s disease symptoms better than eating a regular diet
  • Who participated: 28 adults with mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease who still had active symptoms
  • Key finding: People following the whole food diet were 41% more likely to have their symptoms go into remission after 8 weeks
  • What it means for you: If you have Crohn’s disease, focusing on eating more whole, natural foods may help control your symptoms, but work with your doctor before making major diet changes

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered the gold standard for testing whether treatments work. Researchers randomly assigned 28 people with active Crohn’s disease into two groups. One group received guidance on following a natural whole food diet based on healthy eating principles, while the other group continued eating their usual diet. The study lasted 8 weeks, with check-ins at 4 and 8 weeks to measure symptoms and inflammation levels.

This type of study design helps eliminate bias and gives us confidence that any improvements were actually due to the diet change, not other factors. The researchers used established measures of disease activity and inflammation to track progress objectively.

While this study used strong methodology, the sample size was relatively small at 28 people. The results are promising but need to be confirmed in larger studies before we can make broad recommendations.

What the Results Show

The study found that people following the whole food diet were significantly more likely to achieve clinical remission - meaning their symptoms improved enough to be considered inactive. The odds of remission were 41% higher in the whole food diet group compared to those eating their usual diet. Importantly, the researchers found that the more closely people followed healthy eating principles, the better their outcomes were. People who stuck most closely to the healthy diet also showed reductions in calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation that doctors use to monitor Crohn’s disease activity.

The study tracked various nutritional measures and found no increased risk of nutritional deficiencies in people following the whole food diet. No adverse events were reported, suggesting the diet approach was safe. The researchers used the Healthy Eating Index as a way to measure how well people followed the diet recommendations.

This study builds on previous research showing that plant-based and anti-inflammatory diets can help with Crohn’s disease. However, it takes a different approach by focusing on overall diet quality rather than eliminating specific foods, which has been the focus of many previous dietary interventions for Crohn’s disease.

The main limitation is the small sample size of 28 people, which makes it harder to draw firm conclusions. The study also only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. Additionally, some participants didn’t stick perfectly to the diet plan, though this actually helped researchers understand that better adherence leads to better results.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, people with mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease may benefit from focusing on eating more whole, natural foods as part of their treatment plan. However, this should complement, not replace, medical treatment. The evidence is promising but preliminary.

This research is most relevant for adults with mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease who are looking for additional ways to manage their condition. People with severe disease or those on complex medication regimens should work closely with their healthcare team before making dietary changes.

In this study, benefits were seen within 4-8 weeks, but individual results may vary. Consistency appears to be key - those who followed the diet more closely saw better results.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, aiming to gradually increase these while reducing processed foods
  • Start by replacing one processed food item per day with a whole food alternative, such as choosing an apple instead of chips for a snack
  • Log symptoms daily alongside food choices to identify patterns between diet quality and how you feel, and share this data with your healthcare provider

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. People with Crohn’s disease should consult their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, as individual needs vary and medical supervision may be necessary.