Study Finds That Vegans Have Healthier Gut Microbiomes Than Omnivores – vegconomist
A study conducted by science and nutrition company ZOE has compared the gut microbiomes of meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans to determine which are the healthiest.
When assessed using the Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index, the vegans in the study had the healthiest diets, followed by the vegetarians and finally the omnivores. Stool samples indicated that the gut microbiome compositions of the three groups were significantly different, with each having its own microbial “signature”.
Omnivores had higher numbers of gut bacteria linked to inflammation, including those associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Some of these species are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer and poor cardiometabolic health.
On the other hand, vegan gut microbiomes had more species of bacteria that specialize in fermenting fiber. They also had more bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, helping to nourish the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Favorable cardiometabolic outcomes
Overall, omnivores were found to have fewer species of “good” gut bacteria and more species of “bad” gut bacteria than vegetarians or vegans. However, the microbiomes of omnivores who ate significant amounts of healthy plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, had some similarities with the microbiomes of those eating a healthy vegan diet.
In recent years, numerous studies have emphasized the benefits of plant-based dietary patterns, finding them associated with lower heart disease risk, slower aging, and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Overall, we found the gut microbiome signature of an omnivore diet to be more associated with unfavorable cardiometabolic health outcomes, whilst vegan diet signatures were linked with favorable cardiometabolic health,” said the study authors. “The signatures of vegetarian gut microbiomes were linked to intermediate outcomes.”