Effects of Milk and Dairy on the Risk and Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease versus Patients’ Dietary Beliefs and Practices: A Systematic Review

The role of the environment in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is undisputed, especially in light of numerous epidemiological data showing the increasing prevalence of IBD worldwide. Although no specific environmental factors have been identified, the diet has received the most attention as a potential modifier of the onset and course of IBD and as a therapeutic intervention. The Westernization of the diet is repeatedly cited as a crucial aspect of the change in IBD prevalence, but data on the impact of diet on the course of IBD are still limited and the effectiveness of dietary interventions remains uncertain. Milk remains one of the most discussed dietary agents in IBD.