The cause of Crohn’s Disease is unknown, but researchers believe it could be due to an autoimmune reaction potentially triggered by gut microbes, and that genes could also play a role.
In observational studies, a Western dietary pattern is associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, while dietary fiber, fruit, vegetable, and fish intake are associated with a reduced risk.[1][2][3]
Smoking may double the chances of developing Crohn’s disease, while other lifestyle factors — such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and certain types of birth control pills — may increase the risk, but only slightly.[4]