According to a new study, those who follow a Mediterranean-style diet have higher levels of health-promoting short-chain fatty acids in their gut. The Mediterranean diet is known to be high in fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes, compared with the standard Western diet that includes higher consumption of meat and dairy. The fermentation of fiber from dietary plant matter in the colon produces short-chain fatty acids, which the authors conclude are the connection to health benefits that includes reducing the risk of inflammatory disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
Gut, September 2015