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Consuming diverse fermented foods leads to an increase in gut microbiome diversity, as well as a decrease in inflammatory markers. Participants who introduced fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut experienced notable positive changes in their gut microbiome. The study also revealed that yogurt and fermented vegetable brine drinks had the most significant impact on gut microbiome diversity, potentially due to their high lactic acid content.
Increasing fiber intake was expected to improve gut health and reduce inflammation. However, the study surprisingly showed that the group consuming fermented foods experienced a more significant improvement in gut microbiome diversity and inflammatory markers compared to the group focusing on high fiber consumption. The findings suggest that incorporating diverse fermented foods, like yogurt and gut shots, may have a more significant impact on gut health.
The study involved a three-week baseline period, a four-week ramp-up phase, a six-week intervention period, and a four-week washout period. Participants had the option to continue or stop the dietary interventions during the washout. Longitudinal blood and stool samples revealed a gradual increase in microbiome diversity and a decrease in inflammatory markers among those consuming fermented foods. The results indicated that fermented foods, particularly yogurt and fermented vegetable brine drinks, influenced gut health positively.
The participants ramped up their fiber and fermented food intake over the study period. While the recommended target was around 40 grams of fiber per day and six servings of fermented foods, individuals had the flexibility to adjust their consumption based on their preferences. The study emphasized the consumption of live microbe-containing naturally fermented foods, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and yogurt, to promote gut microbiome diversity and reduce inflammation.
The podcast episode delved into the impact of fermented foods on reducing inflammatory markers in the body. Researchers monitored a comprehensive array of 300 to 400 inflammatory markers in participants' blood over the course of the study. The results showed a significant decrease in 20 to 30 different markers, pointing towards a broad signal of decreasing inflammation. However, the exact mechanism behind this reduction in inflammatory markers remains a million-dollar question, prompting further research in mouse models to uncover the specifics.
Another key focus of the podcast was the investigation into the effects of a high fiber diet on microbiome diversity and inflammation. Contrary to initial hypotheses, the study revealed a more individualized response among participants. The group that experienced increased inflammation on a high fiber diet had the lowest baseline microbiome diversity, indicating a potential issue with degrading dietary fiber. This underscores the importance of gradual dietary transitions and the potential for long-term microbiome adaptation to high fiber diets.
In Episode #191, I sat down with Stanford University Professors Dr Christopher Gardner and Dr Justin Sonnenburg to talk about fermented foods, fibre, gut health, and immunity. This conversation was organised following the results of their latest randomised controlled trial, ‘gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status’, which was published in Cell Press in 2021.
Listen to this episode to find out about what defines a healthy microbiome, what we can learn from studying the microbiomes of traditional populations such as the Hadza tribe, and so much more. Justin and Christopher also share the mission behind their study of fibre and fermented foods, what they found (including their findings regarding fibre intake and the effectiveness of probiotics), and the key takeaways.
For more from Christopher Gardner, check out Episodes #145, #167, and #228. For more from Justin Sonnenburg, check out Episode #202.
For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.
Enjoy, friends.
Simon
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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)
Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill
Author of The Proof is in the Plants
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