Can fiber help gut bacteria fight against antibiotic resistance?

Participants provided stool samples so that researchers could examine the genetic makeup of the participants’ gut microbiomes.The researchers discovered that “individuals who consumed diverse diets that were high in fiber and low in animal protein had fewer antibiotic resistance genes.”Study author Dr. Danielle G. Lemay explained their findings to Medical News Today.“We found that people who consume more diverse diets with more soluble fiber have lower numbers of antimicrobial resistance genes in their gut microbiomes. What we need to do in the future is a study in which we feed people a diverse diet, high in soluble fiber, to see if we can reduce the antimicrobial resistance of their gut bacteria.”But overall, the results of this study are encouraging because it links simple diet steps with reducing health problems like antimicrobial resistance.