Understanding Nutrition: What is the best thing to drink with Crohn's disease?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, patients with Crohn's disease are at a higher risk of dehydration due to fluid loss from diarrhea or malabsorption. Therefore, understanding what is the best thing to drink with Crohn's disease is critical for managing symptoms, staying healthy, and supporting recovery.

Quick Summary

Proper hydration is crucial for managing Crohn's disease, especially during periods of active symptoms. Optimal choices for staying hydrated and minimizing digestive upset include plain water, low-sugar electrolyte drinks, clear broths, and certain herbal teas. It is important to avoid or limit beverages that can irritate the gut, such as high-caffeine, high-sugar, and carbonated drinks.

Key Points

Plain Water is Primary: The single most recommended beverage for Crohn's disease, providing essential hydration without irritants.
Oral Rehydration Solutions are Crucial: During active flare-ups with diarrhea, ORS helps replenish lost electrolytes more effectively than water alone.
Avoid High-Sugar and Carbonated Drinks: Beverages with high sugar content and carbonation can worsen diarrhea and bloating, and should be limited.
Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: These common irritants can stimulate the gut and worsen symptoms, so moderation or avoidance is advised, especially during flares.
Consider Herbal Teas and Broths: Gentle, non-caffeinated herbal teas and nutrient-rich broths can be soothing and provide hydration during sensitive periods.
Personalization is Key: Individual triggers vary, so tracking your body's response to different drinks is vital for creating a suitable diet.

The Importance of Hydration for Crohn's Patients

Proper hydration is a cornerstone of managing Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The frequent and often watery diarrhea associated with Crohn's flares can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte loss, increasing the risk of dehydration. Symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and headaches can often be early signs of dehydration in IBD patients. Maintaining fluid balance helps support overall well-being, aids digestion, and is vital for healing during and after a flare.

What is the best thing to drink with Crohn's disease?

Best Everyday Drinks for Crohn's Disease

Water: Plain water is the simplest and most effective way to stay hydrated. It is gentle on the digestive system and free from potential triggers like sugar and caffeine. Squeeze a small amount of lemon or lime for a hint of flavor, if tolerated.
Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): During or after a flare-up with significant fluid loss, ORS are a vital choice. They contain a balanced mix of water, salt, and sugar designed to maximize fluid and electrolyte absorption. This is more effective for rehydration than water alone in cases of diarrhea. You can find these at pharmacies or can even be made at home with guidance from a healthcare provider.
Clear Broths: Savory and soothing, chicken or vegetable broths provide both fluid and sodium, helping to replenish lost electrolytes. They are easy to digest, making them an excellent option when solids are not well-tolerated.
Herbal Teas: Many caffeine-free herbal teas can be calming for an irritated gut. Peppermint and ginger teas may help with nausea, while chamomile can have a soothing effect. Always choose caffeine-free varieties to avoid overstimulating the bowels.

Tolerable Alternatives and Supplements

Diluted Fruit or Vegetable Juices: If tolerated, small amounts of diluted, 100% natural fruit or vegetable juices without added sugars can add variety and nutrients. Examples include diluted apple, grape, or cranberry juice. Focus on low-FODMAP options and introduce them slowly.
Low-Lactose or Plant-Based Milks: Some individuals with Crohn's develop lactose intolerance, especially during a flare. Switching to lactose-free milk or fortified plant-based milks, such as almond, oat, or soy milk, can be beneficial. Fortification is important to ensure adequate calcium intake.
Meal-Replacement Shakes: For those struggling to maintain weight or get adequate nutrition, commercial meal-replacement or protein shakes can be very helpful. Opt for brands free of lactose, excessive sugar, and sugar alcohols like sorbitol or xylitol, which can trigger symptoms.
Coconut Water: This natural beverage is a good source of electrolytes like potassium and is generally well-tolerated. It provides a gentle way to rehydrate after fluid loss.

Beverages to Limit or Avoid

For many with Crohn's, certain drinks are known to exacerbate symptoms, especially during a flare. It is best to avoid or limit the following:

Caffeine: Coffee, black tea, energy drinks, and many sodas contain caffeine, a stimulant that can increase intestinal motility and urgency. This can worsen diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Alcohol: Alcohol can irritate the gut lining, disrupt the gut microbiome, and worsen inflammation. It can also interfere with Crohn's medications and is dehydrating. It is best to avoid alcohol, particularly during a flare.
Carbonated Drinks: The bubbles in soda, seltzer, and other carbonated drinks can introduce gas into the digestive system, leading to bloating, cramping, and discomfort.
High-Sugar Drinks: Beverages loaded with concentrated sugars, including many fruit juices and sports drinks, can worsen diarrhea. The high sugar content can pull water into the intestines, causing osmotic diarrhea.
Drinks with Artificial Sweeteners: Sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol are poorly absorbed and can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Look for these on ingredient lists of 'sugar-free' products.

Best vs. Worst Drinks for Crohn's: A Comparison


Feature	Best Drinks	Worst Drinks
Best for Hydration	Plain water, Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), Broth	Caffeine, Alcohol, High-sugar drinks
Gut-Friendliness	Gentle, low-irritant (herbal teas, water)	High-acidity, carbonation, high-sugar
Effect on Motility	Neutral to soothing	Stimulating (caffeine), disrupting (alcohol)
Nutrient Impact	Focus on hydration, supplements if needed	Nutrient-depleting (alcohol)
Flavoring	Mild, natural (lemon, ginger)	High added sugar, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup
During Flare	Crucial for fluid and electrolyte replacement (ORS)	Likely to worsen diarrhea, bloating, and pain

Finding What Works for You

It is important to remember that Crohn's disease affects everyone differently, and tolerance for drinks can vary widely. Keeping a food and drink diary can help you identify your personal triggers. Working with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian specializing in IBD can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and symptoms, both during a flare and in remission.

Conclusion

For those living with Crohn's disease, prioritizing hydration with the right beverages is essential for managing symptoms and maintaining health. While plain water is universally beneficial, other excellent options include oral rehydration solutions, clear broths, and soothing herbal teas. Conversely, drinks high in caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or carbonation should be limited or avoided, especially during periods of active inflammation. By focusing on gentle, hydrating fluids and understanding your individual triggers, you can better support your digestive health and overall well-being. For more information and support, consider visiting the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

During a flare-up, the best drinks are oral rehydration solutions (ORS), clear broths, and plain water. These help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost through diarrhea without irritating an already sensitive gut.

For some people with Crohn's, milk and dairy products can worsen symptoms, especially if they have developed lactose intolerance. Options like lactose-free milk or fortified plant-based milks (almond, soy) can be good alternatives.

Coffee is often a trigger for Crohn's symptoms due to its caffeine content and acidity, which can increase gut motility and urgency. While some may tolerate it in remission, it's best to switch to decaf or avoid it during a flare.

Many commercial sports drinks are high in concentrated sugar, which can worsen diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) with a balanced mix of sugar and salt are a better choice for rehydration, particularly after significant fluid loss.

Signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dark yellow urine, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and a dry mouth. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Alcohol can irritate the GI tract, worsen symptoms like diarrhea, and interfere with medications. It is generally recommended to avoid alcohol, especially during a flare-up.

Carbonated beverages, including soda and seltzer, can introduce excess gas into the digestive system. This can lead to increased bloating, cramping, and overall abdominal discomfort.