I get this question a lot: “Ben, I’m finally in remission after months of flaring. Can I drink coffee again? What about a beer? Is Diet Coke off-limits forever?” Having lived with Crohn’s since 2002, I’ve navigated these decisions more times than I can count. The honest answer is more nuanced than most people want to hear.

What “Remission” Actually Means

Before I dive into drinks, let me be clear about what I mean by remission. In my case, it’s clinical remission — my symptoms are controlled, my inflammatory markers are normal, and my most recent colonoscopy showed healed mucosa. I’m on Rinvoq, which I transitioned to in 2026 after years on Remicade, and my disease activity is as quiet as it’s been in years.

But remission doesn’t mean my Crohn’s is gone. The underlying disease process is still there, managed by medication. That context matters when I’m deciding what to put in my body.

Coffee: My Daily Negotiation

I drink cacao coffee. One cup most mornings, sometimes two if I’m working on something that demands extra focus. But it took me years to figure out how cacao coffee (regular coffee was a no go and I found cacao to be a great substitute) and my Crohn’s interact.

In active flares, coffee is a non-starter. The caffeine stimulates gut motility, and when my intestines are already inflamed and hypersensitive, that extra stimulation means more cramping and more frequent bowel movements. I learned this the hard way during my 2018 flare when I stubbornly kept drinking my morning coffee for weeks, wondering why my symptoms weren’t improving.

In remission, cacao coffee is usually fine for me, but with caveats. I stick to one cup in the morning, and I pay attention to how my body responds. If I notice increased urgency or loose stools that correlate with my cacao coffee intake, I back off for a few days.

The research on coffee and IBD is mixed. Some studies suggest coffee might increase inflammation in the gut, while others show no clear association with flare risk. What I’ve learned from my own experience is that coffee tolerance varies not just between people, but for the same person at different points in their disease course.

Alcohol: The Risk-Benefit Calculation

Alcohol is more complicated. I drink occasionally — maybe one or two drinks at a social event, a glass of wine with dinner when we’re celebrating something. But I’m deliberate about it.

The pharmacology matters here. I’m on Rinvoq, which is processed by the liver, and adding alcohol to that equation means my liver is handling multiple substances that require metabolic processing. My gastroenterologist and I have discussed this explicitly. For me, occasional moderate drinking doesn’t seem to interfere with my medication or trigger symptoms, but we monitor my liver function tests more closely than we might otherwise.

I’ve also noticed that certain types of alcohol affect me differently. Beer, especially craft beers with higher hop content, seems to increase my gut symptoms even in remission. Wine is generally better tolerated, and clear spirits mixed with simple mixers cause me the fewest issues. But this is entirely individual — I know people with UC who tolerate beer fine but can’t handle wine.

During active flares, I don’t drink alcohol at all. It’s not worth the risk of prolonging inflammation or interfering with the medications I’m using to get back to remission.

Carbonated Drinks: The Bloating Factor

Carbonated beverages are probably the easiest category for me to navigate. The main issue isn’t the carbonation itself — it’s the gas. When I drink something fizzy, I’m introducing additional gas into my digestive system, which can mean more bloating and discomfort.

In remission, I can handle carbonated water or the occasional diet soda without major issues. But I’m strategic about timing. If I’m going to be in meetings all afternoon or at a social event where bathroom access might be limited, I skip the sparkling water.

The sugar content in regular sodas is a separate consideration. High sugar loads can alter gut bacteria and potentially contribute to inflammation, though the research on this in IBD patients specifically is still developing. I generally avoid high-sugar drinks regardless of carbonation, not because of definitive evidence they’ll trigger a flare, but because they don’t align with how I try to eat overall.

What I’ve Learned About Individual Tolerance

After more than twenty years with Crohn’s, the biggest lesson I’ve learned about food and drink choices is that individual tolerance matters more than general guidelines. What works for me might not work for you, and what works for me in 2026 might not have worked for me in 2005 when my disease was less well-controlled.

I keep a loose mental note of how different foods and drinks correlate with my symptoms. Not a detailed food diary — I tried that for a few months in my twenties and it made me anxious about every meal — but a general awareness. If I notice a pattern where coffee seems to increase my urgency, or a particular type of alcohol correlates with next-day symptoms, I adjust accordingly.

The Practical Framework I Use

Here’s how I actually make these decisions day to day:

During active inflammation: I avoid all three categories. Coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks all have the potential to irritate an already inflamed gut, and none of them are worth risking a prolonged flare.

In stable remission: I reintroduce them gradually and pay attention to my body’s response. Coffee first, usually after I’ve been symptom-free for a few weeks. Alcohol and carbonated drinks I add back more cautiously.

Before important events: If I have a long meeting, travel day, or social event where symptom management is particularly important, I default to the most conservative choices. Water, herbal tea, and foods I know I tolerate well.

When trying something new: I test it at home first, when I have easy bathroom access and no time pressure. If I want to try a new type of coffee or a different alcoholic drink, I don’t do it right before a work presentation.

What This Doesn’t Mean

None of this should be interpreted as medical advice for your situation. My tolerance for coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks is specific to my disease pattern, my current medications, and how my body has responded over two decades of trial and error.

If you’re newly diagnosed or coming out of a flare, the conversation you need to have is with your gastroenterologist, not with me. They know your specific case, your medication regimen, and your individual risk factors. What I can offer is the perspective of someone who has navigated these decisions many times and learned to pay attention to patterns.

I also want to be clear that there’s no moral judgment here. If you’re in remission and you decide that avoiding coffee entirely gives you peace of mind, that’s a completely reasonable choice. If you decide that the occasional beer is worth the potential risk, that’s reasonable too. The goal is making informed decisions based on your own tolerance and priorities.

The Bottom Line

Can you drink coffee, alcohol, or carbonated drinks in remission? In my experience, probably yes, with attention to individual tolerance and timing. Should you? That depends on how your body responds, what medications you’re on, and how you weigh the enjoyment against the potential for increased symptoms.

What I’ve learned is that rigid rules don’t work as well as flexible guidelines based on self-awareness. My Crohn’s in 2026 is different from my Crohn’s in 2003, and the decisions I make about what to drink reflect that evolution. The key is paying attention to your own patterns and being honest about what trade-offs you’re willing to make.