Changes in Gut Microbiota after a Four-Week Intervention with Vegan vs. Meat-Rich Diets in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Main Authors: Eva Kohnert, Clemens Kreutz, Nadine Binder, Luciana Hannibal, Gregor Gorkiewicz, Alexander Müller, Maximilian Andreas Storz, Roman Huber, Ann-Kathrin Lederer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Microorganisms
• Subjects: nutrition; gut microbiome; diversity; plant-based diet; <i>Lachnospiraceae</i>; <i>Coprococcus</i>
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/4/727

An essential role of the gut microbiota in health and disease is strongly suggested by recent research. The composition of the gut microbiota is modified by multiple internal and external factors, such as diet. A vegan diet is known to show beneficial health effects, yet the role of the gut microbiota is unclear. Within a 4-week, monocentric, randomized, controlled trial with a parallel group design (vegan (VD) vs. meat-rich (MD)) with 53 healthy, omnivore, normal-weight participants (62% female, mean 31 years of age), fecal samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the trial and were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (Clinical Trial register: DRKS00011963). Alpha diversity as well as beta diversity did not differ significantly between MD and VD. Plotting of baseline and end samples emphasized a highly intra-individual microbial composition. Overall, the gut microbiota was not remarkably altered between VD and MD after the trial. <i>Coprococcus</i> was found to be increased in VD while being decreased in MD. <i>Roseburia</i> and <i>Faecalibacterium</i> were increased in MD while being decreased in VD. Importantly, changes in genera <i>Coprococcus, Roseburia</i> and <i>Faecalibacterium</i> should be subjected to intense investigation as markers for physical and mental health.