Maximizing your absorption of the nutrients in your diet and reducing diarrhea are nutritional priorities with Crohn's disease. Caffeine can interfere with normal digestion by stimulating muscle movement your large intestine, or colon. Increased colon activity may worsen the diarrhea that characterizes Crohn's disease. To prevent the loss of fluids and electrolytes, MayoClinic.com advises that you avoid beverages and foods that contain caffeine.
Symptoms
Crohn's disease may damage any portion of your digestive tract, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. This condition most often affects your small intestine, which absorbs many of the nutrients in your food. The exact cause of Crohn's is unknown, but an autoimmune response or genetic factors may be responsible for this inflammatory bowel disease, the NDDIC notes. The intestinal damage of Crohn's can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, skin problems and weight loss. The destruction of portions of your intestinal lining may prevent your body from absorbing protein, fats, carbohydrates and other nutrients.People with Crohn's frequently lack vitamins B-12, D, K, folic acid, calcium and zinc, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Risks
Consuming beverages or foods that contain caffeine may increase your risk of nutritional deficiencies. As a stimulant, caffeine triggers increased movement in the smooth muscles of your digestive tract. Chemical stimulation from caffeine interferes with your colon's absorption of water from digestive wastes and pushes stool through your intestinal tract too quickly. When you have diarrhea, your body loses fluids, and you may become dehydrated. You also lose potassium, sodium, magnesium and other electrolytes that you require for healthy heart, nerve and muscle function. Caffeine occurs not only in coffee, but in tea, some sports or energy drinks, cocoa, chocolate and some over-the-counter pain medications.
Dietary Modifications
In addition to avoiding caffeine, you should restrict or omit other beverages and foods that aggravate your symptoms. Alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, spicy or fatty foods may also provoke diarrhea, according to MayoClinic.com. The UMMC recommends that you eat generous portions of vegetables and fruits to replenish lost nutrients, promote colon health and prevent flare-ups of your gastrointestinal symptoms. If fiber irritates your digestive tract, try steamed or canned vegetables and fruits. Potassium-rich foods, such as papaya, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados and legumes, can replace lost quantities of this nutrient. Your health-care provider may advise you to take vitamin and mineral supplements if dietary changes don't correct your nutritional deficiencies.
Caffeine Alternatives
Plain or flavored water, iced herbal tea and fruit or vegetable juices are refreshing alternatives to caffeinated sodas or energy drinks. If you're looking for a healthy substitute for your morning cup of coffee, drinking green tea daily may help relieve your Crohn's symptoms. According to the UMMC, the polyphenols --- anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds that inhibit cellular damage -- in green tea may reduce the intestinal inflammation associated with Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel conditions. The UMMC recommends drinking two to three cups of decaffeinated green tea daily to benefit from its therapeutic properties. Use green tea only under medical supervision as a complementary therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Green tea should not replace conventional medical treatment for Crohn's.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Crohn's Disease: Lifestyle and Home Recipes
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Crohn's Disease
- Merck Manual Professional: Diarrhea: Approach to the Patient with Lower GI Complaints
Member Comments