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Inflammatory Bowel Disease Environmental Risk Factors: Diet and Gut Microbiota. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review specifically explores the affect that diet has on the gut microbiota and its role on the increasing incidence of IBD around the world in developing countries. RECENT FINDINGS: This is a The emergence of IBD is consistently observed as a society becomes developed and westernized implicating the critical role that environmental factors play. Environmental factors that could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of IBD include westernization of diet and improved hygiene statust. Westernization of diet is associated with changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota, which could affect the development of the immune system and thus influence the risk of disease occurrence. There remains an important need for extensive and rigorous studies focused on the role of environmental exposures on IBD management. Specifically, if environmental factors can be modified to decrease the possibility of relapse or improve patient quality of life.