Research
Mixed
High consumption of animal-derived and processed foods is consistently associated with a gut microbiome profile characterized by higher abundances of Firmicutes, Ruminococcus species of the Blautia genus, and endotoxin synthesis pathways, which are linked to pro-inflammatory states.
To support a less inflammatory gut environment, prioritize plant-based foods and fish over processed and red meats. This shift is associated with a microbiome that produces beneficial short-chain fatty acids rather than endotoxins.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Processed foods and animal-derived foods were consistently associated with higher abundances of Firmicutes, Ruminococcus species of the Blautia genus and endotoxin synthesis pathways.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis across four cohorts (n=1425) with consistent signals (FDR<0.05) strengthens the finding, though it is observational.
Source
Long-term dietary patterns are associated with pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory features of the gut microbiome
Laura A. Bolte et al. · Gut · 2021
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322670
Meta-analysis · 4 studiesCited 576×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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