Jun 6, 2025
BY: ET OnlineHigh intake of junk food, red meat, emulsifiers, and additives in ultra-processed foods can disrupt gut bacteria and trigger inflammation, increasing the risk of IBD.
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Many people aren't eating enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A fibre-poor diet starves healthy gut bacteria, weakening the gut lining and contributing to inflammation.
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Frequent or unnecessary use of antibiotics, especially in childhood, can wipe out beneficial gut bacteria and increase susceptibility to IBD later in life.
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Disruption in the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system has been strongly linked to both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
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The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that overly sterile environments early in life may impair immune system development, leading to autoimmune issues like IBD.
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Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mind, it impacts your gut. Stress has been linked to both the onset and flare-ups of IBD symptoms.
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Low vitamin D levels, often due to spending less time outdoors, are increasingly being associated with higher IBD risks, as vitamin D helps regulate the immune system.
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Exposure to air pollution, industrial chemicals, and urban stressors may increase inflammation and change how the immune system responds to gut bacteria.
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While IBD runs in families, the rapid rise in cases suggests that genes are now being “switched on” or worsened by today’s fast-changing environment and habits.
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