Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.
David LA, Maurice CF, Carmody RN, Gootenberg DB, Button JE, Wolfe BEet al.
· 2014:559-563
This study evaluates Short-term exclusive animal-based diet (meats, eggs, cheeses) versus plant-based diet (grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables) for 5 consecutive days each in a crossover design in relation to Rapid changes in gut microbiome composition, diversity, and gene expression measured from daily stool samples.
Evidence-Based Research: Fermented Fiber Microbiome Cell Host
Key facts at a glance
- DOI
- 10.1038/nature12820
- PMID
- 24336217
- PMC
- PMC3957428
- Year
- 2014
- Pages
- 559-563
- Study type
- animal-study
- Evidence level
- III
- Sample size
- 10
- Intervention
- Short-term exclusive animal-based diet (meats, eggs, cheeses) versus plant-based diet (grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables) for 5 consecutive days each in a crossover design
- Primary outcome
- Rapid changes in gut microbiome composition, diversity, and gene expression measured from daily stool samples
- Follow-up
- 5 days per diet arm plus recovery period
- Funding
- government
- Open access
- true
Study Overview
This study examined the effects of Short-term exclusive animal-based diet (meats, eggs, cheeses) versus plant-based diet (grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables) for 5 consecutive days each in a crossover design on Rapid changes in gut microbiome composition, diversity, and gene expression measured from daily stool samples.
Key Findings
The results suggest the intervention has potential clinical benefits.
Clinical Conclusions
See original publication.
Abstract
"This study enrolled 10 participants, investigating the effects of Short-term exclusive animal-based diet (meats, eggs, cheeses) versus plant-based diet (grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables) for 5 consecutive days each in a crossover design on Rapid changes in gut microbiome composition, diversity, and gene expression measured from daily stool samples.
Funding & conflicts of interest
Funding: government
COI: None reported
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Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 22, 2026. · Read our editorial policy