The Impact of Diet on Microbiome and Health

Different diets between African American men and rural South Africans cause dramatic changes in the function of the microbiome, rather than the composition. Despite moaning about high fat diets, the microbiome doesn't change significantly for African men, but the function of the microbes is altered, leading to increased production of bowel acids and changes in short chain fatty acid metabolism, resulting in inflammation. The microbiome can be likened to an engine that responds differently to the type of fuel, having a significant impact on overall health. The microbiome interacts with and influences the immune system, impacting the risk of bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and beyond.