Increased consumption of refined carbohydrates in patients with Crohn's disease

The nutritional habits of 63 patients with Crohn's disease (C.d.) were explored by means of questionnaires and compared with a control group of 63 persons matched as to age, sex and social status. Before the disease was recognized patients with C.d. consumed 742 grams/week (g/w) sweets and 1380 g/w pastries, during the disease 482 g/w sweets and 905 g/w pastries. The controls only consumed 285 g/w sweets and 563 g/w pastries. The differences between both groups are highly significant. There existed no significant difference in the intake of other foodstuffs such as proteins, fats, vegetables or alcohol. The high intake of refined carbohydrates in patients with C.d. may be partly responsible for its increasing incidence in the developed countries. This might be due to the sugar content as such and/or the food additives.