Increasing plant protein sources in the diet modulates gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in men at cardiometabolic risk

). Compared to CON, FLEX increased fecal xanthurenic acid and decreased the genetic potential for indole production. Combined with previously reported plasma changes (increased indole propionic acid and decreased indoxyl sulfate after FLEX), these findings suggest a shift away from indole production toward kynurenine and indole propionic acid-related tryptophan pathways, possibly driven by higher fiber intake, particularly from legumes. A one-month flexitarian diet thus modulated in men specific microbial taxa and metabolism, particularly tryptophan catabolism. These coordinated changes in microbial composition, functional potential, and metabolites indicate that diets higher in PP sources influence gut microbiota activities relevant to cardiometabolic health.

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Publication Details

Journal
Gut Microbes
Published
2026-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2026.2677951
Primary Topic
Gut microbiota and health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Increasing plant protein sources in the diet modulates gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in men at cardiometabolic risk

G T Pickering, Farid Ichou, F Mariotti, Caroline Perreau et al.
Gut Microbes
Gut microbiota and health
article

Increasing plant protein sources in the diet modulates gut microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in men at cardiometabolic risk

G T Pickering, Farid Ichou, F Mariotti, Caroline Perreau, Catherine Lefranc‐Millot, Gaïa Lépine, Sergio Polakof, Marine Gilles, Anne-Marie Davila, Didier Rémond, Florence Thirion, Hélène Fouillet, Gwendal Cueff
article en

Abstract

). Compared to CON, FLEX increased fecal xanthurenic acid and decreased the genetic potential for indole production. Combined with previously reported plasma changes (increased indole propionic acid and decreased indoxyl sulfate after FLEX), these findings suggest a shift away from indole production toward kynurenine and indole propionic acid-related tryptophan pathways, possibly driven by higher fiber intake, particularly from legumes. A one-month flexitarian diet thus modulated in men specific microbial taxa and metabolism, particularly tryptophan catabolism. These coordinated changes in microbial composition, functional potential, and metabolites indicate that diets higher in PP sources influence gut microbiota activities relevant to cardiometabolic health.

Gut MicrobesVol. 18(1)
Université Clermont Auvergne (FR), AgroParisTech (FR), Université Paris-Saclay (FR), Unité de Nutrition Humaine (FR), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand (FR), Roquette Frères (India) (IN), Fondation pour l’innovation en Cadiométabolisme et Nutrition (FR)
Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Roquette Freres
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Gut microbiota and health
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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