CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A recent study found that plant-based diets, like those of vegans and vegetarians, could significantly improve gut health among other benefits.
A new study published in Nature Microbiology found that among over 21,000 participants, those who utilized a vegan or vegetarian diet over an omnivorous diet had healthier guts, reduced inflammation, and enhanced metabolism.
According to the researchers, some of the microbes used for meat digestion were linked to inflammatory diseases (specifically in the bowel) and certain types of cancers. On the other hand, microbes found in the guts of those who practiced vegan diets were good at digesting fiber and forming butyrate, which decreases inflammation and enhances metabolism, according to ScienceDirect.com.
The research didn’t suggest that cutting out meat would suddenly solve all the problems in your gut, however, and that those on a vegetarian or vegan diet require a large diversity of foods and nutrients to get the benefits from their diet.
According to the American Medical Association, improving gut health leads to greater metabolism and a stronger immune system, whereas poor gut health has been linked to inflammatory diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and even some mental health disorders.