Three smoothies good for people with inflammatory bowel disease

Dragon fruit and spinach smoothie helps with digestion, provides fiber to reduce inflammation and helps restore intestinal microflora.

According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, inflammatory bowel disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Many people with the disease have difficulty eating, leading to malnutrition, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Smoothies are one of the foods that help reduce symptoms, fight loss of appetite and do not irritate the patient's intestines. Smoothies are liquid and soft, easy to digest, providing the body with necessary nutrients and calories. Patients can use smoothies for main meals or snacks, adjusting the ingredients to suit each person's needs and tastes.

Pureeing foods mimics the process of breaking down food in the intestines. Drinking smoothies requires less work for the digestive system than eating solid, raw foods. Fiber found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts is also beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

According to a 2022 review by the University of Kansas, USA, based on 100 studies on more than 425,000 people, a high-fiber diet helps people with inflammatory bowel disease reduce inflammation, regulate immune responses, and restore gut microbiota.

Eating a lot of fiber also helps people with digestive disorders because it helps balance the bacteria in the intestines. A high-fiber diet also reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.

Below are some suggested smoothie recipes that are good for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

Spinach smoothie is packed with inflammation-reducing vitamin C, potassium, an electrolyte that helps balance fluids, and healthy fats. Ingredients include two cups of baby spinach, one cup (240 ml) of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, three-quarters of a cup (180 ml) of plain yogurt, one cup (125 g) of pineapple, one banana, one-quarter of a fresh avocado, and one tablespoon of ground flaxseed.

Dragon fruit smoothie provides fiber and vitamin C. Ingredients include 100g dragon fruit, 240ml unsweetened coconut milk, 125g pineapple, 180ml low-fat yogurt.

Beetroot and ginger smoothie helps soothe digestive issues like nausea. Ingredients: 1 small beetroot, peeled and cubed; 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger or 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 125 grams of pineapple, 125 grams of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), 240 ml of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 180 ml of low-fat yogurt, 1 cup of spinach or kale, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds.

Mai Cat (According to Everyday Health )

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