A hidden compound in healthy foods may worsen IBD

Spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes are often praised for their nutritional value. But new research from the UNC School of Medicine suggests that for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a naturally occurring compound in these foods may contribute to intestinal inflammation.

The study, published August 13, 2026 in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH), was led by postdoctoral scholar Anna Salvador, PhD, RD, LDN, in the lab of Shehzad Z. Sheikh, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Genetics.

Researchers examined gene activity, oxalate levels in stool, and dietary patterns in people with IBD and in people without the disease. They also carried out experiments in mice and cultured cells to investigate how dietary oxalate might influence inflammation in the intestinal lining.

IBD May Disrupt the Gut's Ability to Handle Oxalate