Researchers created a short food questionnaire to help people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) understand which foods might make their condition worse. They studied over 1,000 patients and found that certain foods like red meat and pastries were linked to more inflammation in the gut, while vegetables and whole grains were linked to less inflammation. This simple quiz could help doctors and patients work together to manage IBD through diet in a practical, easy-to-use way.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a short food questionnaire could identify which foods are connected to inflammation markers in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Who participated: 1,067 adult patients with IBD who filled out a dietary questionnaire between 2019 and 2021; 40% were Hispanic; 577 patients had blood and stool test results available for analysis
  • Key finding: The short food questionnaire successfully identified specific foods linked to inflammation: red meat, pastry desserts, and beans were associated with higher inflammation levels, while vegetables and whole grain baked goods were associated with lower inflammation levels
  • What it means for you: If you have IBD, this simple food questionnaire could help your doctor identify which foods might be triggering your symptoms. However, individual responses vary, so working with your healthcare team to test which foods work best for your body remains important

The Research Details

Researchers looked back at medical records from 2019 to 2021 for patients with IBD who had completed a short dietary questionnaire. They compared the foods patients reported eating with blood and stool test results that measure inflammation in the gut. The researchers used statistical methods to find patterns between specific foods and inflammation levels, and they also used computer learning techniques to identify broader eating patterns that seemed connected to inflammation.

This type of study is called a retrospective study, meaning researchers examined information that was already collected rather than following patients forward in time. The researchers focused on making the questionnaire short and practical so it could actually be used in doctor’s offices without taking too much time.

Most dietary assessments used in medical settings are very long and complicated, making them impractical for busy clinics. This study tested whether a shorter version could still capture the important information about which foods affect inflammation in IBD. If successful, doctors could use this quick tool to help patients manage their condition through diet, which is an important part of IBD treatment.

The study included a large number of patients (1,067), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers measured inflammation using two different tests (blood and stool markers), which strengthens confidence in the results. However, only about half the patients had complete test results available, which is a limitation. The study was conducted in a real clinical setting with diverse patients (40% Hispanic), which makes the findings more applicable to different populations.

What the Results Show

The short dietary questionnaire successfully identified several foods connected to inflammation markers. Red meat showed the strongest connection to higher inflammation in blood tests (2.57 times more likely to have elevated inflammation). Pastry desserts were also linked to higher inflammation (2.13 times more likely). Interestingly, beans were associated with higher inflammation markers in this study, which was unexpected since beans are usually considered healthy.

On the positive side, eating more vegetables was linked to lower inflammation in stool tests (44% less likely to have elevated markers). Baked whole grain products showed an even stronger protective effect (85% less likely to have elevated inflammation markers). When researchers looked at overall eating patterns, patients who ate the least amount of fruits and vegetables had significantly higher inflammation levels compared to those who ate more produce.

The study found that the questionnaire was practical and feasible to use in clinical settings, taking minimal time to complete. The diverse patient population (including 40% Hispanic patients) suggests these findings may apply to different ethnic groups. The use of two different inflammation markers (blood and stool tests) provided consistent evidence that the food-inflammation connections were real.

These findings align with previous research showing that plant-based foods reduce inflammation in IBD, while processed and red meats tend to increase it. The unexpected finding about beans contradicts some earlier studies suggesting beans are beneficial, which may indicate that individual responses to beans vary significantly or that preparation methods matter. This study adds practical value by showing that a quick questionnaire can capture these relationships in a real clinical setting.

Only about 54% of patients who completed the questionnaire had inflammation test results available, which could affect the accuracy of findings. The study looked backward at existing data rather than following patients forward, so it cannot prove that foods cause inflammation—only that they are associated with it. Individual responses to foods vary greatly, so findings from the group may not apply to every person. The study was conducted at specific clinics, so results may differ in other healthcare settings or populations.

The Bottom Line

If you have IBD, consider limiting red meat and pastry desserts, which appear to be connected to increased inflammation (moderate confidence). Increase your intake of vegetables and whole grain products, which appear to be connected to lower inflammation (moderate confidence). Use this questionnaire with your doctor as a starting point for identifying your personal food triggers, but recognize that individual responses vary (important caveat). This tool should complement, not replace, medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare team.

People with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) should pay attention to these findings. Healthcare providers managing IBD patients should consider using this short questionnaire as a practical tool. People without IBD may find some general principles helpful (like eating more vegetables), but these findings are specifically about IBD inflammation. People with other digestive conditions should not assume these findings apply to them without consulting their doctor.

Changes in inflammation markers can take several weeks to months to appear after dietary changes. You might notice symptom improvements (like less pain or better digestion) within days to weeks, but the actual inflammation in your gut may take 4-12 weeks to show measurable improvement. Consistency with dietary changes is important for seeing benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log the specific foods you eat daily and rate your IBD symptoms (pain, bathroom frequency, energy level) on a scale of 1-10. Track your inflammation test results (CRP and fecal calprotectin) every 3 months to see if dietary changes correlate with improvements
  • Use the app to complete the short dietary questionnaire monthly and identify your top 3 trigger foods and top 3 beneficial foods. Set a goal to reduce trigger foods by 50% and increase beneficial foods by one serving per day, then monitor how your symptoms change
  • Create a food-symptom diary in the app where you log meals and symptoms for 2-week periods. Compare patterns across months to identify which foods consistently trigger flares. Share this data with your doctor at each visit to adjust dietary recommendations based on your personal response patterns

This research describes associations between foods and inflammation markers in people with IBD, but does not prove that specific foods cause inflammation in all individuals. Dietary needs vary significantly from person to person with IBD. Before making major dietary changes, consult with your gastroenterologist or a registered dietitian who specializes in IBD. This information should not replace medical advice or prescribed treatments. If you experience severe symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.