β-Glucan and Inulin Estimated Intake Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Crohn's Disease, Improved Gut Barrier and Systemic Inflammation Markers, and Multi-Omic Signatures in a High-Risk Cohort
Gastroenterology, 2026
Xue M., McShane C., Kim J., Khorasaniha R., Leibovitzh H., Shao J., Chen R., Jeong S., Madsen K., Griffiths A., Walters T., Steinhart A., Dieleman L., Huynh H., Panaccione R., Aumais G., Bitton A., Mack D., Jacobson K., Bressler B., Marshall J., Moayyedi P., Plotkin L., Dotan I., Bernstein C., El-Matary W., Hyams J., Otley A., Lee S., Turner D., Armstrong H., Croitoru K., Turpin W.
| Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
Immunological & Inflammatory Diseases | Pathophysiology | Serum |  Olink Target 96 |
Abstract
Background & Aims
The cause of Crohn’s Disease (CD) remains unclear; however evidence suggests fiber intake may play a role. We aimed to investigate the association between intake of total fiber and select fermentable fiber subtypes and future risk of CD in an at-risk population.
Methods
The Genetic, Environmental, Microbial Project prospectively followed asymptomatic first-degree relatives of individuals with CD. Habitual intake of total fiber and select fiber subtypes was estimated from baseline food frequency questionnaires and biologic samples were collected. Incident CD was confirmed during follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for CD. Associations between fiber subtype intake and urinary fractional excretion of lactulose–mannitol ratio (LMR), C-reactive protein (CRP), gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing), and serum proteomics (Olink®) were evaluated using multivariable regression models.
Results
During a median follow-up of 8.5 years of 3,314 FDRs, 94 developed CD. Higher β-glucan (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.92) and inulin (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.96) intake were associated with lower CD risk. Associations were strongest in those with higher baseline relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003, but weaker with higher Colidextribacter. Higher β-glucan and inulin intake were associated with lower LMR, lower abundance of pathobionts (Ruminococcus torques and Lachnoclostridium), and lower concentrations of inflammation- and barrier-related proteins, including CRP, TREM-1, OSM, and MMP-9.
Conclusions
Higher estimated β-glucan and inulin intake was associated with preserved gut barrier function, lower systemic inflammatory markers and lower CD risk which was modified by the microbial context. These findings support microbiome-informed dietary strategies and intervention trials for CD prevention.