Nutrients: the consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly protects the gut from inflammation.
An adequate amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet can significantly protect the gut from inflammation. This conclusion was reached by scientists who studied the impact of nutrition on the development of colitis. The results of the study were published in the journal Nutrients.
In the experiment, a regular diet was compared with a diet that included fruits and vegetables in varying amounts. The best effect was shown by a diet that contained approximately 2–3 servings of fruits and 3–4 servings of vegetables per day. Animals on this diet exhibited almost no symptoms of inflammation — for example, diarrhea or intestinal damage.
However, when the amount of plant-based food was reduced (by about half), the protective effect was weaker: signs of the disease still appeared. This indicates that it is not just the presence of fruits and vegetables that matters, but their sufficient quantity in the diet.
Scientists explain the effect simply: fiber and beneficial substances from plants help maintain a healthy gut microbiota and reduce inflammation. Although the study was conducted on animals, the conclusion is clear — regular and adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables can play a key role in protecting the gut.
