Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon and rectum, characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea with mucus and blood, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Various dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD), curcumin, and resveratrol supplementation, have shown promise in UC management, though evidence on their effectiveness remains inconclusive. The MD, rich in plant-based foods and olive oil, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory benefits and improved quality of life in patients with UC.
A study aimed to evaluate the impact of the MD, combined with curcumin and resveratrol supplementation, on disease activity, inflammatory markers, and quality of life in individuals with mild-to-moderate UC. The study found that adherence to the MD, regardless of supplementation, was associated with improvements in disease remission, inflammatory biomarkers, and overall quality of life. However, the addition of curcumin and resveratrol supplements did not provide additional benefits beyond the MD. The results suggest that the MD is a safe and effective dietary intervention for UC management. However, researchers stress that further research is needed to examine its long-term effects and explore the potential benefits of various macronutrient consumption rates.
Reference: Erol Doğan Ö, Karaca Çelik KE, et al. Effects of Mediterranean Diet, Curcumin, and Resveratrol on Mild-to-Moderate Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2024 May 16;16(10):1504. doi: 10.3390/nu16101504. PMID: 38794742; PMCID: PMC11123867.
