Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the rectum and colon. It can cause rectal bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss and anemia, and symptoms can range in severity. Treatment varies and can include surgery or drug therapy. Although UC is not caused by sensitivity to foods, some foods can make symptoms worse, so dietary modification may be helpful, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Juicing may be able to provide you with nutrients and may be easy on the stomach. Before adding juicing to your diet, talk with your doctor about whether this is appropriate.
Step 1
Use antioxidant fruits for juicing, including tomatoes, blueberries and cherries. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests avoiding high-fiber fruits like raw apples, as fiber may exacerbate symptoms of ulcerative colitis in some individuals.
Step 2
Drink wheat grass juice. A 2002 study published by E. Ben-Erye et al. in the "Scandinavian Journal of Gastoenterology" found that drinking wheat grass was associated with a reduction in symptoms of UC, including rectal bleeding. Ask your doctor if wheat grass is safe for you to consume.
Step 3
Juice oranges for fresh orange juice. Not only are oranges rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps promote wound healing, which can help with intestinal inflammation, but this juice also contains folate, or folic acid. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, individuals with colitis may be deficient in this vitamin, especially when taking the medication sulfasalazine.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do not like juices, you can make fruit smoothies instead. This can help provide you with vitamins and minerals necessary for health, and if you are able to tolerate dairy products, you can add milk to your smoothies. Individuals with colitis may have trouble absorbing calcium and vitamin D, and dairy products can help provide you with this mineral.
- Do not use juicing as a substitute for medical treatment for ulcerative colitis. Talk with your doctor about treatments that work for you and consult with her before adding juicing to your diet. Ask your health care provider about any specific vitamins or minerals in which you may be deficient, and which fruit juices can provide you with these nutrients.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Ulcerative Colitis; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; 2009
- "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Wheat Grass Juice in the treatment of Active Distal Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Double-Blind...; Ben-Erye et al.; 2002
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Ulcerative Colitis; February 2006
- Crohn's and Coliltis Foundation of America; Diet and Nutrition; May 2011
