Researchers have discovered that a special protein in your body called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays an important role in intestinal fibrosis—a serious scarring condition that affects people with inflammatory bowel disease. The good news is that certain foods like broccoli, berries, and turmeric may help activate this protein in helpful ways, while pollution and unhealthy foods can make it worse. This review suggests that eating more plant-based foods and maintaining a healthy gut bacteria balance could be new ways to prevent or treat this painful condition.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) affects intestinal scarring and fibrosis, and whether certain foods and gut bacteria can help prevent it
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research rather than a new study with human participants. Scientists analyzed findings from multiple studies about intestinal fibrosis and the AhR protein
  • Key finding: Certain plant-based foods (like broccoli, berries, and turmeric) appear to activate the AhR protein in ways that reduce intestinal scarring, while pollution and processed foods can make scarring worse
  • What it means for you: If you have inflammatory bowel disease or are at risk for intestinal scarring, eating more plant-based foods rich in specific compounds may help protect your intestines. However, this is still emerging research, and you should work with your doctor on a treatment plan

The Research Details

This is a review article, which means scientists read and summarized findings from many other studies rather than conducting their own new experiment. The researchers looked at how a special protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) works in the body and how it relates to intestinal fibrosis—a condition where the intestines become scarred and stiff.

The scientists examined three main areas: first, how intestinal scarring develops in people with inflammatory bowel disease; second, how the AhR protein influences this scarring process; and third, what role diet, gut bacteria, and environmental factors play in activating or deactivating this protein.

By bringing together information from multiple studies, the researchers were able to identify patterns and propose new ideas for how diet and gut health might prevent intestinal scarring.

Review articles are important because they help scientists and doctors understand the big picture by combining findings from many different studies. This approach is especially useful when exploring a complex topic like intestinal fibrosis, where many different factors (diet, bacteria, pollution) all play a role. By reviewing existing research, scientists can identify promising new treatment ideas before investing in expensive new studies.

This is a scientific review published in a respected journal called Pharmacological Research. However, because it’s a review rather than a new study with human participants, the strength of evidence depends on the quality of the studies it reviewed. The findings represent current scientific thinking but are not yet proven in large human trials. Many of the specific food recommendations are based on laboratory and animal studies rather than human testing.

What the Results Show

The review identified that the AhR protein has a complex role in intestinal scarring—it can either help prevent scarring or make it worse, depending on what activates it. When activated by certain plant compounds found in foods like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, berries, and turmeric, the AhR protein appears to reduce intestinal scarring by several mechanisms: it helps maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, reduces the buildup of collagen (the protein that causes scarring), and blocks harmful inflammatory pathways.

The researchers found that specific plant compounds called glucobrassicin (found in cruciferous vegetables), flavonoids (found in berries and other colorful plants), and curcumin (found in turmeric) all showed anti-fibrotic effects—meaning they helped prevent scarring. These compounds work partly by changing the types of bacteria in your gut and partly by directly reducing the scarring process.

In contrast, environmental pollutants like certain industrial chemicals, microplastics, and some pesticides can activate the AhR protein in harmful ways that actually increase intestinal scarring. This suggests that reducing exposure to pollution while eating more plant-based foods creates a protective effect.

The review also highlighted the important role of gut bacteria in preventing intestinal scarring. When you eat plant-based foods rich in AhR-activating compounds, your gut bacteria produce special metabolites (chemical byproducts) that help reduce scarring. These bacterial metabolites work by regulating immune cells and directly affecting the proteins involved in scarring. The research suggests that fecal microbiota transplantation—transferring healthy bacteria from one person to another—might become a future treatment option for intestinal fibrosis. Additionally, the studies reviewed showed that the relationship between gut bacteria composition and intestinal scarring follows predictable patterns that could help doctors predict who is at risk.

This review builds on previous research showing that diet affects intestinal health and that the AhR protein is important for immune function. However, it’s one of the first comprehensive reviews specifically connecting the AhR protein, dietary compounds, gut bacteria, and intestinal scarring all together. Previous studies looked at these pieces separately, but this review shows how they work together as a system. The findings align with growing evidence that plant-based diets protect against inflammatory bowel disease complications.

This is a review of existing research, not a new study, so it cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. Many of the studies reviewed were done in laboratory settings or in animals rather than in humans with actual intestinal disease. The specific doses of plant compounds needed to prevent scarring in humans are not yet established. Additionally, while the review identifies promising dietary compounds, it doesn’t provide clear guidance on how much of these foods people should eat or how long they need to eat them to see benefits. The research is still in early stages, and more human studies are needed before these dietary approaches can be recommended as standard treatment.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating more plant-based foods—especially cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), colorful berries, and turmeric—may help protect against intestinal scarring. This recommendation has moderate confidence because it’s based on laboratory and animal studies rather than large human trials. Additionally, reducing exposure to environmental pollutants and maintaining a healthy gut through diverse plant-based foods appears beneficial. However, these dietary approaches should complement, not replace, medical treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

This research is most relevant for people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) who are at risk for developing intestinal scarring, or those who already have some scarring. It may also be relevant for people with other conditions that cause intestinal inflammation. People without intestinal disease may still benefit from eating these plant-based foods for general health. This research is NOT a substitute for medical treatment—anyone with inflammatory bowel disease should continue working with their gastroenterologist.

If someone were to increase their intake of these plant-based foods, changes in gut bacteria composition typically occur within 2-4 weeks. However, effects on intestinal scarring would likely take much longer to observe—probably several months to years. This is not a quick fix, but rather a long-term dietary approach to prevention. People should not expect immediate symptom relief from dietary changes alone.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of AhR-rich foods: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), berries, and turmeric. Set a goal of 2-3 servings daily and log which foods you eat and portion sizes
  • Add one new plant-based food from the AhR-rich list to your diet each week. For example: add berries to breakfast, include broccoli with lunch, or add turmeric to dinner. Use the app to set reminders and track which foods you’ve tried
  • Track gastrointestinal symptoms weekly (bloating, pain, bowel movements) alongside your food intake to identify patterns. Also monitor energy levels and general wellness. Review monthly trends to see if dietary changes correlate with symptom improvement. Share this data with your doctor

This review discusses emerging research about diet and intestinal health but is not medical advice. Intestinal fibrosis is a serious condition that requires medical supervision. If you have inflammatory bowel disease or symptoms of intestinal scarring (chronic pain, difficulty swallowing, bowel obstruction), consult your gastroenterologist before making significant dietary changes. Dietary modifications should complement, not replace, prescribed medical treatments. Always discuss new dietary approaches with your healthcare provider, especially if you take medications, as some plant compounds may interact with certain drugs.