Dietary protein and human gut microbiome

This study aimed to determine how differences in dietary protein intake influence gut microbiome composition, diversity, and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in healthy adults using a randomized, controlled, crossover feeding study design to minimize inter-individual variability. Given the rising prevalence and high cost of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), along with its strong connection to gut microbiome imbalance, understanding the role of diet in prevention and management is of significant public health importance. While certain dietary approaches such as enteral nutrition, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and the Mediterranean Diet show promise in IBD care, the effects of dietary protein remain poorly understood despite its critical role in inflammation and recovery. This study found that short-term variation in protein intake did not substantially alter microbiome composition, diversity, or SCFA production in healthy adults, suggesting that a resilient, balanced microbiome may resist dietary change. These findings establish a necessary baseline for future research in IBD and other at-risk populations, where microbiome instability may reveal more pronounced effects of dietary protein on disease outcomes.