Mixed
High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) increases faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels and enriches fibre-degrading bacteria (Prevotella, Lachnospira) regardless of whether the individual is an omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan.
To improve your gut health, focus on high adherence to a Mediterranean-style pattern rather than strict veganism. This means prioritizing high intake of cereals, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Even if you are an omnivore, maintaining high adherence to these plant-based components is associated with increased beneficial short-chain fatty acids and a healthier microbiome profile, comparable to vegetarians.
We detected significant associations between consumption of vegetable-based diets and increased levels of faecal short-chain fatty acids, Prevotella and some fibre-degrading Firmicutes... High-level consumption of plant foodstuffs consistent with an MD is associated with beneficial microbiome-related metabolomic profiles in subjects ostensibly consuming a Western diet.
Why this rating
Cross-sectional observational study with a relatively large cohort (n=153) and rigorous statistical analysis (PCA, correlation networks), but lacks causal intervention data.
Source
High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome
Francesca De Filippis et al. · Gut · 2015
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309957
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