Consumption of dried fruits reduces the risk of ulcerative colitis

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon, characterized by persistent inflammation of the colonic mucosa and rectal lesions. It strongly affects the quality of life of patients and leads to high health costs. The global prevalence of this disease has increased significantly, reaching about 5 million cases in 2023.

Environmental factors, including eating habits, play a crucial role in the development and management of ulcerative colitis.

Here, researchers were interested in the link between diet and ulcerative colitis. Data on the consumption of dried fruits, vegetables, processed meats, fresh fruits and cereals were collected on the UK Biobank, while data on ulcerative colitis were collected on the FinnGen database. Sensitivity analyses and corrections for multiple tests were performed to ensure robustness of the results.

A significant association between the consumption of dried fruits and the reduction of the risk of ulcerative colitis was identified. No significant association was found between the consumption of vegetables, processed meats, fresh fruit or cereals and the risk of ulcerative colitis.

Dried fruits, rich in dietary fiber, potassium, protein, plant sterols, antioxidants and various minerals and vitamins, have many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties. For example, nuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid.

Studies also show that grape seed polyphenols in raisins can alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells.

In conclusion, this study provides evidence supporting a possible association between dried fruit consumption and a reduced risk of ulcerative colitis, suggesting that the regular integration of dried fruit into the diet could serve as a preventive measure against this disease.

However, further research is needed to validate these results and examine the specific protective effects of different types of dried fruit.

Source(s) :
Bu Z, Wang X, Wang X, Huang Z, Feng Z, Huang X, Wang P, Jiang N, Xu F, Liu J, Liu Z. Dried fruit intake can lower the risk of ulcerative colitis: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2024 Jun;33(2):237-246. doi: 10.6133/apj ;

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