British scientists from King's College London have debunked the widespread belief that a vegan diet promotes the formation of healthier intestinal microflora, reports gazeta.ru with reference to Nature Microbiology.

During the experiment, scientists analyzed the intestinal microbiome of more than 21 thousand people with different eating habits. Among the study participants were 656 vegans, about a thousand vegetarians and about 20 thousand people following a traditional diet that included meat.

Analysis of the collected data showed that giving up animal products does not lead to significant changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora. The number and variety of beneficial bacteria turned out to be almost identical in representatives of all groups.

It is noteworthy that vegans who abused industrially processed foods and snacks had a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria. At the same time, the researchers noted that regular consumption of vegetables has a positive effect on the microbiome, regardless of diet type.

Scientists particularly noted the importance of healthy intestinal microflora, as beneficial bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids. These substances help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.