(HealthDay)—Compared with individuals without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), those with active IBD have lower intakes of fiber; fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP); and micronutrients, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Crohn's and Colitis.

Selina R. Cox, Ph.D., from King's College London, and colleagues estimated nutrient, fiber, and FODMAP intakes using seven-day food records in patients with active IBD (Active IBD), patients with inactive IBD with noninflammatory gut symptoms (Inactive IBD-GI), patients with inactive IBD without gut symptoms (Inactive IBD), and healthy controls. Across study groups, nutrient intake, number of participants achieving national recommendations, and food-related quality of life (FR-QoL) were compared using food diaries obtained from 65 patients with Active IBD, 86 with Inactive IBD-GI, 81 with Inactive IBD, and 84 healthy controls.

The researchers found that compared with controls, patients with Active IBD had significantly lower intakes of numerous micronutrients, including iron, folate, and vitamin C. Compared with controls, all IBD groups consumed less total fiber (4.5 to 5.8 g/day); in Active IBD, total FODMAP and fructan intakes were lower than corresponding intakes for controls. All IBD groups had significantly lower FR-QoL than controls.

"This is the first comparison of nutrient intakes in patients with IBD experiencing inflammatory [Active IBD] or noninflammatory [Inactive IBD-GI] gut symptoms compared with healthy controls, and the findings indicate that gut symptoms of either etiology have the potential to impair nutrient intakes," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the nutrition industry and is a co-inventor of a mobile application to assist patients following the low FODMAP diet.

More information: Selina R Cox et al, Nutrient, Fibre, and FODMAP Intakes and Food-related Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Their Relationship with Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Differing Aetiologies, Journal of Crohn's and Colitis (2021). DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab116

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