Fast food, alcohol, meat and sugar cause bad intestinal bacteria and thus inflammatory reactions throughout the body, which in turn lead to diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Vegetable food has the opposite effect.
This is evident from research by Rinse Weersma, Laura Bolte and Arnau Vich Vila of the UMCG’s Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases and Genetics departments. The results of their research were published today in the scientific journal Gut. According to the researchers, this study shows that dietary changes can potentially help reduce inflammatory activity in the body.
Many animal products, processed foods, alcohol and sugar ensure that inflammatory activity in the body can develop earlier via the composition of the intestinal bacteria. But a diet rich in plant foods will have the opposite effect.
The researchers explain it like this: The composition and amount of bacteria in the gut, also called the microbiome, has a direct influence on the balance of anti-inflammatory and stimulating reactions in the gut. This ecosystem affects immunity and is also involved in a growing number of inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. While much research is being done on anti-inflammatory effects of specific nutrients, little is known about the influence of foods and dietary patterns as a whole on the composition of the gut microbiome and how they can consequently influence inflammatory responses in the gut.
Interaction of nutrition, intestinal bacteria and inflammation
To find out, the researchers looked at the interaction between diet, gut bacteria and intestinal inflammation in people with intestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome and in people with normal healthy intestines. They analyzed the stools of all participants in the study and the participants completed a questionnaire to get a good idea of their dietary patterns. In total, the researchers analyzed 173 dietary factors and their relationship to the gut microbiome.
Anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory effect of certain foods
The research shows that a high intake of processed foods and animal-derived foods lead to extra inflammatory activities of bacteria; activities previously associated with various chronic inflammatory diseases. Plant foods and fish, on the other hand, have been associated with “friendly” bacteria and anti-inflammatory activity. Eating nuts, fatty fish, fruits, vegetables and grains has been linked to a higher amount of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids: these acids help control inflammation and protect the integrity of the cells lining the gut. A limited amount of red wine also has this effect.
Effect of spirits and chips
The study also shows that less healthy activities of the bacteria can be associated with: total alcohol intake, spirits and sugar, coffee and a fast food cluster of meat, chips, mayonnaise and soft drinks. In fact, associated with anti-inflammatory bacteria are: dairy products such as buttermilk and yogurt, food clusters of bread, legumes, such as lentils, peas and chickpeas; fish and nuts.
Diets can prevent inflammation
Research leader Rinse Weersma indicates that it is not clear how long it takes for intestinal bacteria to respond to changes in diet. “We have been able to derive dietary patterns associated with groups of bacteria and functions known to infer mucosal protection and anti-inflammatory effects. The reactions that occur in both the healthy group of patients and people without intestinal problems may be relevant for other syndromes in which inflammation, microbial changes in the intestine and nutrition are a common thread. ”
Laura Bolte, dietitian and trainee doctor who conducted the study, concludes that long-term diets enriched with legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts or more plant foods over animal foods with a preference for low-fat dairy products and fish can help. prevent inflammatory bowel processes via the gut microbiome. Bolte: “Especially when this is combined with avoiding strong alcoholic drinks, processed meat rich in fat and soft drinks.”
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