Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Improved Clinical Scores and Inflammatory Markers in Children with Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomized Trial

Objective: The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a well-known style of diet that is full of antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory effects. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and effects of adherence to MD on disease activity and inflammatory markers in children and adolescents with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: This prospective, randomized study included 100 IBD patients aged twelve to eighteen years with mild to moderate disease activity (PCDAI score 10-45 or PUCAI 10-64). The included patients were divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Group I (26 patients with active CD and 24 patients with active UC) received MD with good adherence over 12 weeks with a KIDMED 8-point score, and group II (28 patients with active CD and 22 patients with active UC) received their usual diet with a KIDMED score ≤7 points. Patients in both groups received treatment similar for IBD activity.

Results: Clinical remission was achieved in most of the patients after 12 weeks of treatment. Patients in the first group (adhering to an MD) showed a significant decrease in both clinical scores (PCDAI and PUCAI) and most inflammatory markers (CRP, calprotectin, TNF-α, IL17., IL 12 and IL13) compared to patients in their normal group, with earlier improvement in both PCDAI and CRP.

Conclusion: Adherence to the MD improves clinical scores and inflammatory markers in children and adolescents with mild-moderate active IBD.