Researchers have discovered that a diet inspired by non-industrialized societies can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases by enhancing gut health. The study has shown remarkable results within just three weeks.
A new study by an international team of scientists led by Jens Walter, a professor at University College Cork, has shown that a diet emulating the eating habits of non-industrialized societies can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
The study, published in the scientific journal Cell, demonstrates that adhering to the newly developed NiMe™ (Non-industrialized Microbiome Restore) diet for just three weeks led to remarkable health improvements.
These include a reduction in bad cholesterol by 17%, a decrease in blood sugar levels by 6% and a 14% drop in C-reactive Protein, a marker of inflammation and heart disease.
These positive changes were linked to beneficial alterations in the gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in health by influencing digestion, immunity, and metabolism.
“Industrialization has drastically impacted our gut microbiome, likely increasing the risk of chronic diseases,” Walter, who also serves as a principal investigator at APC Microbiome Ireland, a world-leading Research Ireland center, said in a news release. “To counter this, we developed a diet that mimics traditional, non-industrialized dietary habits and is compatible with our understanding on diet-microbiome interactions.”
The NiMe™ diet proved to enhance the persistence of the beneficial bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri in the gut, which is prevalent in the microbiomes of rural Papua New Guineans but rarely found in industrialized settings. The diet also helped reduce pro-inflammatory bacteria and bacterial genes that degrade the mucus layer in the gut.
The significance of this dietary intervention is profound.
In affluent countries, industrialized diets, high in processed foods and low in fiber, have led to a surge in chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
This research offers a feasible dietary adjustment to counter these health issues.
The NiMe™ diet emphasizes plant-based foods while allowing one small serving of animal protein per day. It excludes dairy, beef and wheat, and is very low in processed foods high in sugar and saturated fat. Its fiber content is notably high, exceeding current dietary recommendations with 22 grams per 1,000 calories.
“Everybody knows that diet influences health, but many underestimate the magnitude,” Walter added.
“This study shows that we can target the gut microbiome through specific diets to improve health and reduce disease risk. These findings could shape future dietary guidelines and inspire the development of new food products and ingredients, as well as therapeutics, which target the microbiome,” added Paul Ross, director of APC Microbiome Ireland.
Anissa Armet, a registered dietitian and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, who co-designed the NiMe™ diet, shared plans to make the diet accessible to the public by posting recipes on their social media platforms and compiling them into an online cookbook.
The study not only underscores the impact of diet on gut health but also opens avenues for new dietary guidelines and potential therapeutic developments aimed at reducing chronic disease risk. This exciting discovery could very well pave the way for a healthier future by reconnecting with the dietary patterns of our non-industrialized ancestors.
For those interested in improving their health through diet, the NiMe™ diet recipes will be available on Instagram (@nimediet) and Facebook, ensuring that these health benefits are within reach for everyone.