Eating plenty of wholemeal bread, vegetables and beans could minimize the risk of potentially fatal food poisoning, British research suggests.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge said eating foods high in fiber helps feed the beneficial bacteria that live naturally in our guts and protect us from insects that invade contaminated food.
They came to this conclusion after examining the microbiome – the term for the ecosystem of microscopic organisms in our digestive system – of 12,000 people from 45 countries.
Scientists explained that whether or not a person suffers from food poisoning depends on the presence of a particular type of protective bacteria in their intestines, called Faecalibacterium.
These friendly microbes helped destroy some of the most common culprits behind the dreaded food poisoning symptoms – a group of microbes called Enterobacteriaceae, which includes Shigella and E. coli.
Writing in the journal Nature Microbiology, experts explain that Faecalibacterium feeds on fiber and converts it into beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids.
These acids are said to help protect against a hostile takeover by food poisoning insects.
Dr Alexandre Almeida, an expert in veterinary medicine and author of the paper, said the findings demonstrated the importance of what we eat.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge say eating plenty of fiber helps feed the beneficial bacteria that naturally live in our guts, helping to protect us against those that might invade from contaminated food.
“By eating fiber in foods like vegetables, beans and whole grains, we can provide our gut bacteria with the raw material needed to produce short-chain fatty acids, compounds that can protect us from these disease-causing insects.” , he declared.
Enterobacteriaceae are most often contracted from undercooked fruits, vegetables and meat.
Although food poisoning is normally a mild illness, some members of the Enterobacteriaceae family can trigger serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis.
And what is worrying is that a number of them are becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs deployed to combat them.
Dr. Almeida, this was another reason to keep the microbiome healthy so that it can act preventatively.
“With higher rates of antibiotic resistance, we have fewer treatment options,” he said.
“The best approach now is to prevent infections in the first place, and we can do this by reducing the opportunities for these disease-causing bacteria to grow in our guts.”
Food poisoning is a common illness in Britain, with around 2.5 million cases recorded each year in the UK.
Author Dr Qi Yin, another expert in veterinary medicine, said: “This study highlights the importance of studying pathogens not as isolated entities, but in the context of their microbiome surrounding intestinal tract. »
Food poisoning is a common problem in Britain, with around 2.5 million cases recorded each year in the UK.
The vast majority are mild, but for some vulnerable people, such as the elderly, they can be much more serious, with around 200 deaths per year.
Last year, the UK was hit by a serious E.coli outbreak that led to one death and dozens of additional hospitalizations, which were ultimately attributed to contaminated lettuce.
Fiber, also called roughage, is one of the plant-based foods that our small intestine cannot digest. They therefore reach the large intestine and help prevent constipation.
Latest data from the British Dietetic Association suggests the average Briton consumes just 18g of fiber a day, well below the 30g recommended by the NHS.
