Mediterranean Diet and Time-Restricted Feeding Intervention to Improve Gut Health, Quality of Life and Inflammation in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Remission: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will evaluate whether a 12-week dietary intervention can improve gut health, inflammation, and quality of life in adults with ulcerative colitis in remission. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a Mediterranean diet, a Mediterranean diet combined with time-restricted feeding (eating within an 8-hour window each day), or standard dietary advice. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish, while limiting processed foods and red meat. The main outcome will be changes in short-chain fatty acids in stool samples, which are markers of gut health. Additional outcomes include changes in inflammation markers, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life. The results of this study may help identify effective dietary strategies to support patients with ulcerative colitis.
• Adults aged 18 to 60 years
• Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis
• Clinical remission for at least 6 months
• Fecal calprotectin \< 250 µg/g in the last 3 months
• Daily eating window ≥ 11 hours