Eating a lot of animal products, processed foods, alcohol and sugar or drinks ensures that inflammatory activity in the body can develop earlier via the composition of the intestinal bacteria. This is shown by research on Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases and Genetics at the UMCG.
Research by Rinse Weersma, Laura Bolte and Arnau Vich Vila from these departments shows that a diet rich in plant foods has the opposite effect.
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.
According to the researchers, little is known about the influence of foods and dietary patterns as a whole on the composition of the gut microbiome and how these can 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.
The stools of all participants in the study were analyzed and they 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. This concerns, for example, the total alcohol intake, spirits and sugar, coffee and a fast food cluster of meat, fries, mayonnaise and soft drinks.
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 help control inflammation. A limited amount of red wine also has this effect.
With anti-inflammatory bacteria, it also includes dairy products like buttermilk and yogurt, food clusters of bread, legumes, such as lentils, peas and chickpeas.
The results of their research were published Tuesday in the scientific journal Gut. According to the researchers, this study shows that dietary changes can potentially help reduce inflammatory activity in the body.
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