Can You Drink Alcohol With Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis mainly affects your digestive tract, which means drinking alcohol can make your symptoms worse. However, like a lot of things, it can vary from person to person. It’s important to understand how alcohol can affect you, so you can better manage your condition.

Alcohol can be a diuretic. This means it can cause dehydration, which is harmful for people with ulcerative colitis. It can also lead to more bowel activity and worsen diarrhea. Carbonated alcoholic drinks may cause gas, adding to your discomfort.

Drinking alcohol can irritate your intestinal lining and lead to bleeding in your gut. This can cause issues with nutrient absorption and interfere with healthy gut bacteria, which are critical for people with ulcerative colitis.

Alcohol can interfere with your ulcerative colitis medications, especially metronidazole. If you're on this medication, you should avoid alcohol during treatment and for at least two days after. Always consult your health care provider about alcohol and your medications.

Heavy drinking can trigger flare-ups in people with ulcerative colitis. Drinking red wine occasionally may be OK, but more research is needed. 

Be aware of your triggers and responses to alcohol to make informed choices about your diet. If you drink alcohol or would like to, you should talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.