September 02, 2025
2 min read
Key takeaways:
- Higher intake of ultra-processed grains was linked to increased risk for developing IBD, especially ulcerative colitis.
- Fresh bread and rice were tied to lower IBD risk, supporting minimally processed diets.
Individuals who consumed at least 19 grams of ultra-processed grains each day appeared at increased risk for developing inflammatory bowel disease, according to study results published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Ultra-processed grains, including industry-produced white bread, pasta, cereals and pastries, go through refining processes that often remove fiber, vitamins and minerals, while adding sugars, fats, emulsifiers, thickeners and preservatives, researchers wrote.
Higher consumption of ultra-processed grains was associated with increased risk for developing inflammatory bowel disease. Source: Adobe Stock
Their impact on gut health and inflammation has been documented in previous studies, but their association with IBD has not been fully studied.
“Understanding ultra-processed grain components that disrupt gut health could lead to targeted dietary guidance and novel preventative strategies for IBD,” Neeraj Narula, MD, MPH, FRCPC, associate professor of medicine at McMaster University and director of the IBD clinic at Hamilton Health Sciences, told Healio. “Our findings build on earlier studies linking ultra-processed foods and IBD risk but provide more specific evidence implicating ultra-processed grains and differential effects across IBD subtypes.”
Narula and colleagues analyzed data from 124,590 participants in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study who were asked to complete validated food-frequency questionnaires regarding their intake of ultra-processed grains, as well as fresh bread and rice.
At median follow-up of 12.9 years, 605 participants developed IBD (ulcerative colitis, n = 497; Crohn’s disease, n = 108).
Compared with those who ingested less than 19 grams of ultra-processed grains per day, an increased risk of IBD was observed among those who consumed 19 grams to less than 50 grams per day (HR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.06-1.77) and at least 50 grams per day (HR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.68-2.58).
The highest risk was seen among participants who ate at least 30 grams of packaged bread (approximately one slice of bread) per day, (HR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.65-2.7) compared with those who had no intake.
When adjusted by disease type, these findings remained significant for UC, but not CD.
A lower risk for IBD was observed among those who reported eating more fresh bread or rice.
“Clinicians should consider advising patients to reduce ultra-processed grain intake as part of a healthy diet to potentially lower IBD risk,” Narula said. “Encourage patients to minimize ultra-processed grains and emphasize minimally processed grain options within a Mediterranean-style diet for gut health support.”
For more information:
Neeraj Narula, MD, MPH, FRCPC, can be reached at neeraj.narula@medportal.ca.
Sources/Disclosures
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Disclosures:
Narula reports receiving honoraria from AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly & Co., Ferring, Fresenius Kabi, Innomar Strategies, Iterative Health, Janssen, Novartis, Organon, Pfizer, Sandoz and Takeda. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
