A recent study revealed that consuming red meat may increase the severity of inflammatory bowel diseases, while pea protein showed a greater ability to reduce inflammation and protect the intestines.
Researchers from the American Gastroenterological Association explained that the results indicate that plant-based alternatives to red meat could contribute to improving gut health and reducing inflammation episodes in people with inflammatory bowel diseases, primarily Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The study, published in the journal "Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology," aimed to explore the relationship between different protein sources and the risk of developing or worsening inflammatory bowel diseases.
Experiments showed that mice fed beef developed the most severe cases of enteritis, while mice fed pea protein as their primary protein source exhibited only mild symptoms. Soy and egg proteins also outperformed beef in several disease models, but pea protein proved the most effective in reducing inflammation.
The researchers suggested that these differences are due to the nature of the interaction between gut microbes and its lining, in addition to the effect of some of the acids present in it, which are factors that may contribute to stimulating or reducing inflammation.
Inflammatory bowel diseases are defined as a group of chronic diseases that affect the digestive system, most notably Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and cause symptoms including severe abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, blood or mucus in the stool, as well as fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
The exact cause of the disease is still unknown, but experts believe that immune system disorders, genetic factors, and some environmental influences play a role in the development of the disease, as the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy intestinal cells, leading to chronic inflammation.
The gut contains trillions of bacteria, some of which play a vital role in protecting the body, while others may contribute to triggering harmful immune responses. The intestinal barrier is the first line of defense against harmful substances, and when this barrier is damaged or becomes more permeable, the likelihood of inflammation increases.
The researchers emphasized that the study's findings reinforce the growing evidence of the role of diet in managing inflammatory bowel diseases, noting that focusing on plant-based protein sources may provide a supportive way to alleviate symptoms and reduce disease severity.
