About 120,000 people in Britain suffer from the bowel disorder, in which the intestines can become painfully inflamed, causing diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss.
Now scientists have found that certain types of soluble fibre can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the gut's walls, and hence reduce the progress of the disease.
They found soluable fibre from plantain and broccoli - dubbed a 'superfood' for its abilities to fight cancer and prevent furring of arteries - had a marked effect. However, soluble fibre from leeks and apples did not.
Prof Jonathan Rhodes, a gastroenterologist at Liverpool University, led the laboratory study, the results of which are published today (THUR) in theBritish Medical Journal.
He and his team added a common type of E coli bacteria to lab-grown bowel lining 'microfold' cells, then tested them with soluble fibre from different fruits and vegetables.
Prof Thodes said: "Soluble fibre might have a beneficial effect by blocking adhesion to the intestinal lining of potentially harmful bacteria."
A clinical study looking at the effect in people is now underway, but Prof Rhodes thought those with the condition "would probably have to eat at least one large plantain each day" to see an effect.
Bananas, from the same family and more commonly available, were also likely to be beneficial. However, Prof Rhodes said they contained less soluble fibre so people would have to consume more.
No work has yet been done on how much broccoli would be needed, but Prof Rhodes said: "I suspect it is rather more than people would want to eat."
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