Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
The disease mainly involves the intestinal system but can also manifest to affect the skin, joints, bones and the kidneys.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness that is incurable however there is much medication, surgery and nutritional supplements available that can manage the disease and reduce the occurrence of uncomfortable flares occurring.
Alongside managing Crohn’s disease however it is also crucial to know about the impact and potential dangers or even benefits that can be caused by consuming certain foods and drinks, and this includes alcohol which can sometimes have particular side effects when mixed with certain illnesses.
Keep reading to learn about the impacts of alcohol on Crohn’s disease and if it really does make it worse, and if there are any benefits from consuming it.
Is Alcohol Harmful If You Have Crohn’s Disease?
The good news is that alcohol is not recognised as being harmful for someone with Crohn’s disease, however there are some points to take into consideration.
Firstly moderation is key, studies have suggested that drinking one to three glasses of red wine for 5 days in a week for example had little negative repercussions, and even some benefits.
Alcohol consumed in large quantities however can bring with it some nasty side effects that can be avoided by monitoring how much to drink on a certain day.
It is also heavily advised to never drink alcohol during a Crohn’s flare as this can make the reaction even worse rather than suppressing it.
Additionally alcohol can make it hard to sometimes accurately tell whether medicine or supplements for the condition are working properly so it can also make the illness harder to monitor.
What Are The Side Effects Of Mixing Alcohol With Crohn’s Disease?
As mentioned before, the occasional drink here and there will be completely fine, however alcohol either in large quantities or with frequent use can cause irritation in the GI tract and break down the tight barrier normally present around the intestines.
The breakdown of this barrier means digested food, toxins and germs can enter the intestines and cause stomach cramp, diarrhea and more inflammation.
These chemicals can disrupt the regular functioning of the gut, and this can be especially dangerous to people with Crohn’s disease who are particularly susceptible to intestinal damage.
Despite this, there is no real guideline on what specific alcohol can be worse for the condition than others, wine for example can be easy to tolerate for one person while for another this might be the case with beer.
The best way to measure this is to first speak with your doctor, and reintroduce alcohol very gradually to gain an idea of how your body responds to particular kinds.
Can Alcohol Cause Crohn’s Disease?
If consumed in very large amounts and over a prolonged period, alcohol can be known to develop Crohn’s disease in the body.
This is because the alcohol will compromise your gut health which is the same effect of having Crohn’s disease, making it much more likely to develop when the gut is exposed.
This is most often the case with alcohol abuse and consumption of alcohol that is unmonitored and therefore to avoid irritating the intestines even more, it is also worth consulting a doctor or supportive specialist to take steps towards mitigating alcohol consumption and limiting the chances of developing Crohn’s disease if your alcohol intake is quite high.
Are There Any Benefits To Drinking Alcohol With Crohn’s Disease?
While alcohol should never be an option to remedy any symptoms, it can have some partial benefits for the condition when consumed in small quantities.
In small amounts, say a glass or two, alcohol suppresses the immune system.
It is the overactive immune system which attacks and inflames the digestive tract and causes diarrhea and stomach cramp in Crohn’s, so the suppression of it can lessen chances of these symptoms flaring.
Recent studies for example have even been reporting that those with Crohn’s disease who drank 