Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAlcohol & Crohn’sWays It Impacts Crohn’sAlcohol Type MattersAlcohol & Flare-UpsSigns of a Flare-UpManaging Flare-Ups
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Alcohol & Crohn’s
Ways It Impacts Crohn’s
Alcohol Type Matters
Alcohol & Flare-Ups
Signs of a Flare-Up
Managing Flare-Ups
Crohn’sdisease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) thataffects more than half a million people in the United States.
It causes inflammation in the digestive tract, most commonly in the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. It is a long-term condition but can have periods of remission that can last for weeks or even years.
Dietary and lifestyle factors can influence symptoms and flare-ups (periods when symptoms are active).
Some people with Crohn’s disease can tolerate drinking alcohol in moderation, but for some, alcohol has negative effects, such as irritating the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and making symptoms worse. If alcohol is consumed, drinking in moderation is advised.
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Some People Can Drink in Moderation Without Side Effects
Mild to moderate alcohol consumption (generally considered no more than one drink a day for women, or two for men) does not cause harm for many people with CD.Heavy use of alcohol has been associated with worseIBD outcomes and effects.Drinking alcohol in moderation is recommended for everyone who chooses to consume alcohol, regardless of health factors. Some people with CD may find moderate alcohol consumption tolerable.
An Internet-based survey of 2,329 people with IBD found that of those who had CD and consumed alcohol, 40% reported symptoms worsening, and 41% did not.
If you have CD and choose to consume alcohol, talk to your healthcare provider about alcohol use.
6 Ways Alcohol Impacts Crohn’s
Research on whether alcohol increases the risk of developing IBD is conflicting. There is insufficient evidence to draw a solid link between alcohol use anddevelopment of IBD, although research on the subject continues.
1. Worsens Symptoms
CD causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Alcohol can also increase inflammation, including in the digestive tract. The triggering of an inflammatory response with alcohol consumption may lead to a worsening of the existing inflammation associated with CD, and could make symptoms worse.
A study of over 100 people with IBD found that about 75% of the participants who drank alcohol experienced worsening symptoms after consumption.
Other research has found an association between alcohol use and an increase in symptoms such as:
Alcohol and stress can have a cyclical effect on CD. Stress can lead to increased alcohol consumption, and alcohol consumption can lead to increased stress. As stress can be a trigger for CD flares, alcohol can indirectly contribute to CD flare-ups.
2. Irritates the GI Tract
Alcohol can be harmful to gut barrier function, and may lead to erosions that impair intestinal absorption. This can increase gut permeability and cause diarrhea.
Increased gut permeability exposes thesubmucosalimmune systemto luminal bacteria, which can lead to changes in the digestive function that could result in a CD flare-up.
3. Is Dehydrating
Staying adequately hydrated can be difficult for people with IBD because of decreased absorption, increased bathroom visits, and frequent diarrhea.
This can lead todehydration, which can be dangerous. Lack of adequate hydration can also interfere with the immune response and impair its ability to fight infection.
4. Causes Malnutrition
Alcohol can impair the processing and absorption of some key nutrients, including:
5. Can Lead to Complications
Alcohol use can lead to complications that are already common in people with CD, including:
Alcohol use has also been found to have negative impacts onoutcomesof hospitalized people with IBD, including increased:
6. Interferes With Medications
Alcohol can negativelyinteract with medicationsused to treat CD, including:
This can lead to adverse effects such as:
There is conflicting research on the impact of alcohol type on CD. Some research has found no impact ofalcohol type, while others have found certain types are more likely than others to have negative impacts.
Noted effects can vary even within the type of alcohol. Some research has found that red wine may positively affect fecalcalprotectinlevels (checks for inflammation in the intestines).
Research has also found that red wine can increase intestinal permeability, contributing to increased inflammation in the long run.
Best and Worst Alcoholic Drinks
Research suggests the following to keep in mind:
Avoid Drinking During a Flare-Up
During a CD flare, avoiding alcohol is advised. Your healthcare provider may also recommend dietary changes such aslimiting or avoiding:
Spotting the Signs of a Flare-Up
A CD flare is when symptoms and inflammation become active, typically a reappearance of symptoms after a period of feeling better.
Symptoms of CD may include:
Some people may experience other symptoms, such as:
Tips for Managing Flare-Ups
There is currently no cure for CD, but symptoms can be managed withtreatment. The recommended treatments depend on individual needs.
The main medical treatments for CD are:
Some tips forcoping during a flareinclude:
Summary
Consuming alcohol with Crohn’s disease may have negative effects, such as worsened symptoms, GI irritation, dehydration, malnutrition and other complications, and adverse interactions withmedications. Some people with CD can drink alcohol in moderation without experiencing negative effects. The type of alcohol may make a difference for some people. Alcohol should be avoided during aCD flare. If you have CD and choose to drink, talk to your healthcare provider about alcohol consumption.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Crohn’s disease.MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam.Alcohol and Crohn’s disease: 7 facts to know.Martinho-Grueber M, Kapoglou I, Bravo F, et al.Alcohol and cannabis consumption in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence, pattern of consumption and impact on the disease. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2023;35(1):21-30. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000002453Rush University Medical Center.10 facts about Crohn’s.Piovezani Ramos G, Kane S.Alcohol use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2021;17(5):211-225.Levine A, Rhodes JM, Lindsay JO, et al.Dietary guidance from the international organization for the study of inflammatory bowel diseases. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2020;18(6):1381-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.01.046Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Managing flares and IBD symptoms.Project Crohn’s.Alcohol and Crohn’s disease: what you need to know.White BA, Ramos GP, Kane S.The impact of alcohol in inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2022;28(3):466-473. doi:10.1093/ibd/izab089Crohn’s & Colitis Dietitians.Can alcohol trigger IBD symptoms?Liu BX, Yang J, Zeng C, Dai XJ, Chen Y.Risk of inflammatory bowel disease appears to vary across different frequency, amount, and subtype of alcoholic beverages. Front Nutr. 2022;9:918754. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.918754Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Living with Crohn’s disease.National Health Service.Crohn’s disease.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Crohn’s disease.MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam.Alcohol and Crohn’s disease: 7 facts to know.Martinho-Grueber M, Kapoglou I, Bravo F, et al.Alcohol and cannabis consumption in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: prevalence, pattern of consumption and impact on the disease. European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2023;35(1):21-30. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000002453Rush University Medical Center.10 facts about Crohn’s.Piovezani Ramos G, Kane S.Alcohol use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2021;17(5):211-225.Levine A, Rhodes JM, Lindsay JO, et al.Dietary guidance from the international organization for the study of inflammatory bowel diseases. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2020;18(6):1381-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.01.046Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Managing flares and IBD symptoms.Project Crohn’s.Alcohol and Crohn’s disease: what you need to know.White BA, Ramos GP, Kane S.The impact of alcohol in inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2022;28(3):466-473. doi:10.1093/ibd/izab089Crohn’s & Colitis Dietitians.Can alcohol trigger IBD symptoms?Liu BX, Yang J, Zeng C, Dai XJ, Chen Y.Risk of inflammatory bowel disease appears to vary across different frequency, amount, and subtype of alcoholic beverages. Front Nutr. 2022;9:918754. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.918754Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Living with Crohn’s disease.National Health Service.Crohn’s disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Rush University Medical Center.10 facts about Crohn’s.
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Project Crohn’s.Alcohol and Crohn’s disease: what you need to know.
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Crohn’s & Colitis Dietitians.Can alcohol trigger IBD symptoms?
Liu BX, Yang J, Zeng C, Dai XJ, Chen Y.Risk of inflammatory bowel disease appears to vary across different frequency, amount, and subtype of alcoholic beverages. Front Nutr. 2022;9:918754. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.918754
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Living with Crohn’s disease.
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