Diet And Gut Health: How Fibre Can Help Protect Against Dangerous Infections (Image Credits: iStock)
A recent study reveals that the gut microbiome—the community of bacteria living in the digestive tract—can predict a person’s risk of contracting serious infections caused by harmful bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli. Interestingly, this risk can potentially be reduced by dietary changes.
The Role of Gut Microbiome in Fighting InfectionsBacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella, and E. coli, are naturally present in small amounts in a healthy gut. However, factors like inflammation or consuming contaminated food can cause these bacteria to grow excessively, leading to illness. In severe cases, an overgrowth of Enterobacteriaceae can become life-threatening.
Using artificial intelligence and computational analysis, researchers studied the gut microbiome of over 12,000 individuals from 45 countries. The findings revealed that a person’s unique microbiome composition—or “microbiome signature”—can predict whether their gut is prone to being colonized by Enterobacteriaceae.
The study, published in Nature Microbiology, identified 135 gut bacteria species that are commonly found when Enterobacteriaceae is absent. Among these, Faecalibacterium, a beneficial gut bacterium, stands out. It produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by breaking down dietary fibre, which appears to protect against infections caused by harmful bacteria.
How Fibre Supports Gut Health
The researchers emphasized that eating a fibre-rich diet could help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium. Foods such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains provide the raw materials these bacteria need to produce SCFAs. These compounds not only support gut health but also create an environment that makes it harder for harmful bacteria to thrive.
In contrast, probiotics—which often don’t alter the gut environment significantly—are less likely to reduce the risk of Enterobacteriaceae infections.
“Our findings highlight the importance of diet in shaping the gut microbiome and reducing infection risks,” said Dr Alexandre Almeida, senior author of the study and a researcher at the University of Cambridge. “By eating more fibre, we can help our gut bacteria produce compounds that protect us from dangerous pathogens.”
Why It Matters
Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the harmful bacteria in question, can cause serious infections like pneumonia and meningitis. The study underscores the potential of dietary interventions as a preventive measure against such health risks.
With this research, the role of diet in enhancing gut health and fighting infections becomes clearer—encouraging a fibre-rich diet could be a simple yet powerful step toward better health.
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