A recent study shows that the gut microbiome – the community of bacteria that live in the digestive tract – can predict a person’s risk of serious infections caused by harmful bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli. Interestingly, this risk can potentially be reduced by changes in diet.

The role of the gut microbiome in fighting infection Bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella, and E. coli, are naturally present in low amounts in the healthy gut. However, factors such as inflammation or eating contaminated food can cause these bacteria to overgrow, causing disease. In severe cases, overgrowth of Enterobacteriaceae can become life-threatening.

Using artificial intelligence and computational analysis, researchers studied the gut microbiomes of more than 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 likely to be colonized by Enterobacteriaceae.

The study published in Nature Microbiology identified 135 gut bacteria species that are commonly found when Enterobacteriaceae is absent. Of these, Faecalibacterium, a beneficial gut bacteria, is prominent. It breaks down dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which protect against infections caused by harmful bacteria.

How does fiber support gut health

The researchers emphasized that eating a fiber-rich diet may help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Faecalibacterium. Foods such as vegetables, legumes, and whole grains provide these bacteria with the raw materials needed to produce SCFAs. These compounds not only support gut health but also create an environment that makes it difficult for harmful bacteria to grow.

In contrast, probiotics – which often do not significantly alter the gut environment – ​​are less likely to reduce the risk of Enterobacteriaceae infections.

“Our findings highlight the importance of diet in shaping the gut microbiome and reducing the risk of infection,” said Dr. Alexandre Almeida, senior author of the study and a researcher at the University of Cambridge. “By eating more fiber, 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 such as pneumonia and meningitis. The study underlines the potential of dietary interventions as a preventive measure against such health risks.

From this research, the role of diet in enhancing gut health and fighting infection becomes clear – encouraging a fiber-rich diet can be a simple but powerful step towards better health.

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