No matter whether chronically or temporarily – almost every second German suffers from in the course of his life, at least once a bowel disease.
Usually this condition is caused by a food intolerance, bacteria, or virus, and often manifests itself through symptoms such as Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
A new Dutch study at the University hospital in Groningen dealt with the various effects of certain foods on the health of the intestinal flora – with surprising results.
The results of the study were published in the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week in 2019 and in the corresponding magazine.
How does the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet follows the eating habits of southern European countries such as France, Italy and Greece – that is why it is often referred to as the Mediterranean diet.
It is only the served the regions in the respective season: a lot of vegetables, fresh fruits, potatoes, nuts, fresh fish and good olive oil.
Strictly speaking, it is not a proper diet after the diet plan, but much more to a balanced diet.
Waiver and calorie counting was yesterday, because even alcohol is allowed – of course in moderation.
In the case of the Mediterranean diet, the enjoyment and the slow food stands in the foreground, for each meal should be sufficient time.
Can stop the Mediterranean diet bowel disease?
The new study, which was presented at the UEG Week in 2019, considered whether certain foods can protect the intestine by creating a healthier intestinal flora.
Researchers at the University hospital Groningen in the Netherlands examined the Association between foods such as legumes, bread, fish, nuts, and wine, and intestinal bacteria, which have a prositiv on health.
The experts observed more than 1,400 subjects were divided into four study groups: the General population, patients with Crohn’s disease (inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative colitis (disease of the large intestine) and patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Each participant provided the researchers a stool sample – this was then analyzed to reconstruct the intestinal flora (Microbiota).
A Mediterranean diet improves the intestinal flora
The results show that certain food is actually the growth of certain bacteria promote anti-inflammatory properties.
These “good” intestinal bacteria assist in the biosynthesis of essential nutrients and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which serve as de cells in the large intestine as the main source of energy.
It 61 individual foods were identified, associated with a positive impact on the intestinal flora together. The results support the idea that the Mediterranean diet could be an effective treatment strategy for intestinal diseases.
The head of the study, Laura Bolte, says to ‘LEL’: “The results suggest that the diet is likely to be an important and serious method of treatment for intestinal diseases, since it has a direct influence on the intestinal microbiome.”
In the gallery: The best foods for a healthy intestinal flora
Bread, legumes, and co. to reduce inflammation values
The study shows that regular consumption of certain foods is associated with a decrease in the potentially harmful intestinal bacteria. Specifically, this means: vegetables, fruit, bread, legumes, fish, nuts, olive oil can help improve the Bacteria balance in the gut.
A higher consumption of these foods was also associated with lower inflammatory levels of Blood in the stool – these are for their increase during inflammation of the bowel known.
A higher intake of meat, fast food, or refined sugar led to a decrease in good gut bacteria and increased inflammation values.
Red wine, legumes, vegetables, fruits, grains, fish and nuts were associated with a higher proportion of bacteria with anti – inflammatory effect of the Mediterranean diet, therefore, could actually improve the intestinal microflora and the intestinal health in a simple way support.
Sources
- United European Gastroenterology: Plant-based foods and Mediterranean diet associated with healthy well-microbiome, research reveals, retrieved on 01.11.2019 https://www.ueg.eu/press/releases/ueg-press-release/article/ueg-week-plant-based-foods-and-mediterranean-diet-associated-with-healthy-gut-microbiome-research/
- Bolte, L. et al. 2019. Towards an anti-inflammatory dietary recommendations based on the relation between food and the well-microbiome composition in 1423 individuals. Presented at UEG Week Barcelona October 21, 2019.
Antonia Hagedorn
*The contribution of “olives, fish and wine: So well the Mediterranean diet for intestinal health” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.