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Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases are responsible for abdominal pain, transit disorders, etc. But the consumption of a particular food could improve the composition of patients’ microbiota and reduce this inflammatory state.
IBD: 200,000 people affected in France
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract, and ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammation of the intestinal lining of the rectum and colon.
These two pathologies affect around 200,000 people in France and do not currently benefit from curative treatment. The main symptoms include acute abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia and diarrhea.
Red cabbage juice helps reduce inflammation
A study carried out by American scientists pinpoints a natural treatment for these two pathologies: red cabbage juice. In mice, consumption of red cabbage led to an improvement in inflammation and the microbiota. Indeed, the drink increased the levels of good bacteria and triggered an anti-inflammatory receptor in the colon of mice.
Red cabbage juice has also been shown to stimulate regulatory T cells that promote anti-inflammatory immune balance and reduce inflammation in the colon. “Red cabbage juice changes the composition of the gut microbiota by increasing good bacteria, leading to increased production of short-chain fatty acids and other inflammation-reducing bacteria-derived metabolites.” indicates Santayana Rachagani, one of the authors of this work.
A new therapeutic agent against IBD?
“The capacity [du jus de chou rouge] to modulate the gut microbiota, activate anti-inflammatory pathways and improve immune regulation highlights its potential as a valuable therapeutic agent for IBD and associated inflammatory disorders.” still believes the expert.
Indeed, these changes, in the intestinal microbiota of mice, “are associated with an improvement in the function of the intestinal barrier (which filters nutrients, pathogens, etc.), better repair of colon and antioxidant effects, thus reducing intestinal damage and colon inflammation.
Scientists have yet to test and evaluate the impact of this drink in humans. But if you suffer from IBD, there’s nothing stopping you from giving it a try and seeing whether or not you notice an improvement in your symptoms.