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Plant proteins modulate m

Zhou Y, Qin Y, He R, Cao Y, Ye H

Summary

PubMed

Eating plant-based proteins may improve metabolic health not just through nutrition, but by reshaping the gut microbiome in ways that alter gene activity. This review suggests the health benefits of plant proteins are partly driven by epigenetic changes triggered by gut bacteria and their byproducts.

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Key Findings

1

Plant proteins from both whole foods and purified isolates can reshape the composition of gut microbiota communities.

2

Gut microbes produce metabolites including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and indole derivatives in response to plant protein consumption.

3

These microbial metabolites act as epigenetic signals that modulate host gene expression, suggesting a gut-epigenome axis linking diet to metabolic health.

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Original Abstract

With the global shift toward sustainable protein sources, plant proteins have gained attention for their metabolic benefits, yet underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain unclear. This review proposes that plant proteins-from whole foods to purified isolates-reshape gut microbiota and metabolite profiles (SCFAs, indole derivatives). These microbial signals modulate host m

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