Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes painful stomach problems that make life difficult for many people. Scientists are discovering that what you eat plays a big role in how much pain you feel. This research explains three different ways food affects IBD pain: through direct inflammation in your gut, through missing nutrients your body needs, and through how your brain processes pain signals. The study suggests that eating lots of processed foods might make pain worse, while better nutrition choices could help reduce it. Understanding these connections between food and pain could help doctors and patients find new ways to feel better.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How the food you eat and the nutrients in your body affect stomach pain in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Who participated: This was a review article that looked at existing research rather than studying new patients directly
- Key finding: Diet appears to influence IBD pain through three main pathways: direct gut inflammation, nutrient deficiencies (especially after surgery), and how your brain processes pain signals
- What it means for you: Paying attention to your diet and making sure you get proper nutrients may help reduce pain if you have IBD, though individual results vary and you should work with your doctor on a personalized plan
The Research Details
This was a review article, meaning researchers looked at and summarized what other scientists have already discovered about diet, nutrition, and pain in IBD patients. Rather than conducting their own experiment with patients, the authors gathered information from many different studies to see what patterns and connections exist. This approach helps identify what we know and what questions still need answers. The researchers organized their findings around three different ways that diet affects pain: through inflammation in the intestines, through missing nutrients the body needs to function properly, and through how the brain and nervous system process pain signals.
Review articles like this are important because they help doctors and patients understand the bigger picture. Instead of looking at just one study, this approach shows how different pieces of research fit together. This helps identify the most important factors and areas where we need more research. Understanding these connections can guide better treatment strategies.
As a review article, this work depends on the quality of studies it examines. The strength of the conclusions depends on how many high-quality studies exist on this topic. The authors propose new ideas about how diet affects pain, which is valuable for guiding future research, but these ideas still need to be tested directly with patients. This type of article is best used as a starting point for understanding a topic rather than as definitive proof.
What the Results Show
The research identifies three distinct ways that diet and nutrition affect pain in IBD patients. First, nociceptive pain comes from actual damage and inflammation in the intestines—the gut is inflamed and irritated, which sends pain signals to the brain. This type of pain is directly connected to the disease itself. Second, neuropathic pain results from nutrient deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 and other micronutrients that the damaged intestines cannot absorb properly. This is especially common in patients who have had surgery, which can change how the intestines absorb nutrients. Third, nociplastic pain occurs when the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals, even when there isn’t active inflammation—essentially, the brain’s pain volume is turned up too high. The research suggests that eating a Western diet high in ultra-processed foods may contribute to all three types of pain by promoting inflammation and affecting the gut bacteria that influence brain function.
The research highlights the gut-brain connection as particularly important. The bacteria living in your intestines (the microbiome) can influence how your brain processes pain and mood. Ultra-processed foods appear to harm these helpful bacteria and may increase neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety and depression, which can make pain feel worse. The study also emphasizes that after IBD surgery, patients need special attention to vitamin and mineral absorption to prevent deficiencies that cause nerve pain. Additionally, the research suggests that the prebiotic effects of certain foods—meaning foods that feed good bacteria—may help reduce pain by improving gut health and the gut-brain connection.
This research builds on growing evidence that diet plays a major role in IBD management. Previous studies have shown that processed foods worsen IBD symptoms, but this review goes further by explaining the specific mechanisms of how diet affects pain. The connection between gut bacteria and brain function (the gut-brain axis) is an emerging area of research that’s gaining more attention. This review brings together these different pieces of evidence to show how they’re all connected, which is a more complete picture than earlier research provided.
This is a review article rather than a new study with patients, so it cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. The authors propose new theories about how diet affects pain that still need to be tested directly. The research doesn’t provide specific dietary recommendations because individual responses to foods vary greatly. More research is needed to understand exactly which nutrients are most important and which dietary changes work best for different people. The review also notes that the interaction between diet, gut bacteria, and pain is complex and not fully understood yet.
The Bottom Line
If you have IBD and experience pain, consider working with a doctor or dietitian to: (1) reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet, (2) ensure you’re getting adequate vitamins and minerals (especially B12 if you’ve had surgery), and (3) eat foods that support healthy gut bacteria. These changes may help reduce pain, though results vary by person. Confidence level: Moderate—the evidence suggests these approaches help, but more research is needed to confirm the best strategies for each individual.
Anyone with IBD who experiences pain should pay attention to this research. It’s especially relevant for people who’ve had IBD surgery, as they’re at higher risk for nutrient deficiencies. People with both IBD and mood problems like anxiety or depression may find this particularly helpful, since the research shows these are connected. However, this information is not a substitute for medical care—always work with your healthcare team before making major dietary changes.
Changes in diet and nutrition typically take several weeks to months to show effects on pain. Some people may notice improvements in 2-4 weeks, while others may need 2-3 months to see meaningful changes. If you’re correcting nutrient deficiencies, it may take 4-12 weeks to feel the full benefits. Be patient and consistent, and track your symptoms to see what works for you.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily pain levels (1-10 scale) alongside what you eat and any nutrient supplements you take. Note the types of foods (processed vs. whole foods) and look for patterns over 2-4 week periods to see if certain foods correlate with more or less pain.
- Start by identifying and reducing one ultra-processed food you eat regularly, and replace it with a whole food alternative. For example, swap processed snacks for nuts, fruits, or vegetables. If you’ve had IBD surgery, ensure you’re taking recommended B12 supplements and track your energy levels and any nerve-related symptoms.
- Create a weekly summary of your pain levels, energy, mood, and digestive symptoms. Compare these to your diet quality that week. Every month, review the patterns to see if improvements in eating habits correlate with less pain. Share this information with your healthcare provider to refine your approach.
This article summarizes research about diet and pain in inflammatory bowel disease but is not medical advice. IBD pain has many causes and requires professional medical evaluation and treatment. Do not change your diet or stop taking medications without talking to your doctor first. If you have IBD and experience severe or worsening pain, contact your healthcare provider immediately. This information is meant to help you have informed conversations with your medical team, not to replace professional medical care.