A groundbreaking diet that mimics traditional eating habits using non-industrialized style food may be key to reducing the risk of several chronic diseases while also aiding weight loss.
Industrialized diets—high in processed foods and low in fiber—have contributed to a substantial rise in chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The new “NiMe” (Non-industrialized Microbiome Restore) diet, inspired by the eating habits of non-industrialized societies, aims to counteract these effects.
The NiMe diet, while plant-based, is not vegetarian. It consists primarily of vegetables, legumes, and other whole-plant foods, with one small serving of animal protein per day (such as salmon, chicken, or pork). The diet excludes dairy, beef, and wheat.
An international study led by Irish researchers found that the NiMe diet enhanced the short-term persistence of L. reuteri—a beneficial bacterium prevalent in the gut of people with traditional eating habits.
“Industrialization has drastically impacted our gut microbiome, likely increasing the risk of chronic diseases,” said Professor Jens Walter, a scientist at University College Cork in Ireland.
The NiMe diet is also very low in processed foods high in sugar and saturated fat and is rich in fiber. Its fiber content was 22 grams per 1,000 calories, exceeding current dietary recommendations.
In a strictly controlled human trial, the new diet led to significant metabolic and immunological improvements. In just three weeks, participants experienced weight loss, a 17% decrease in bad cholesterol, a 6% reduction in blood sugar, and a 14% reduction in C-reactive Protein (a marker of inflammation and heart disease). These results were published in the journal Cell.
These improvements were linked to beneficial changes in the participants’ gut microbiome. The NiMe diet also improved microbiome features damaged by industrialization, such as reducing pro-inflammatory bacteria and bacterial genes that degrade the mucus layer in the gut.
Notably, participants lost weight despite not consuming fewer calories. The study shows that targeting the gut microbiome through specific diets can help improve health and reduce disease risk.
