Nature January 2014 PMID 24336217

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome.

Lawrence A David, Corinne F Maurice, Rachel N Carmody, David B Gootenberg, Julie E Button, Benjamin E Wolfe, Alisha V Ling, A Sloan Devlin, Yug Varma, Michael A Fischbach, Sudha B Biddinger, Rachel J Dutton, Peter J Turnbaugh

Mentions

487
Peak: 5 in Jun 2019
across 7 sources since Apr 2018

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Total likes

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Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Many discussions emphasize the rapidity and reproducibility of microbiome changes, citing studies such as the one from Lawrence David (2013), and debate the health implications of such shifts, with tone varying from scientific curiosity to skepticism about dietary recommendations. The use of technical language and referencing of studies showcases deep engagement and highlights the significance of rapid dietary impacts on gut health.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the validity and significance of the research showing rapid changes in the microbiome with dietary shifts.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity, sharing studies, examples, and debating implications, indicating a strong interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many comments reference specific data, studies, and methodological details, demonstrating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts highlight future potential, others question the clinical significance, resulting in moderate perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Short-term changes in human diets, whether animal- or plant-based, can quickly and consistently alter the composition and activity of the gut microbiome, surpassing individual differences.
  • An animal-based diet increases microbes tolerant to bile, like Alistipes, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while decreasing fiber-metabolizing bacteria such as Roseburia and Ruminococcus, reflecting a shift from carbohydrate to protein fermentation.
  • Transient colonization by foodborne microbes and the rise of Bilophila wadsworthia on animal diets suggest a possible link between dietary fats, bile acids, and the development of microbes associated with inflammatory bowel disease, highlighting how rapid dietary changes impact gut health.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@Eva3034385615 The entire microbiota cannot be replaced, but profound changes can be introduced by 2-3 days of strong dietary modifications. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Oct 8, 2019 · 19 likes · 2 shares · 25,884 followers View post →
Dr. Jasmeet Kaur (PhD)
@jasmeet481 · X

For your reference: https://t.co/06EQJZfEcV There's nothing unique about fiber. If you are on an animal-based diet and worried about the postbiotic SCFA, butyrate, just relax and chill. For those who eat vegetables, you also chill with lots of fiber. @shashiiyengar https://t.co/YzvKsQgeEZ

Dec 12, 2023 · 10 likes · 4,169 followers View post →
Simon Hill MSc, BSc
@theproof · X

Hmm well yeh that’s almost true. Basically no studies! There is one I know of: https://t.co/FI5JD3qPf7 Changes in microbiome after just 5 days on a carnivore diet don’t look so great to me https://t.co/Dbg1uQ5Mrb

Jan 6, 2021 · 7 likes · 34,340 followers View post →
Slick
@lyssasphere · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/KTUdkElKQl

Mar 4, 2024 · 6 likes · 1 share · 47,882 followers View post →
Travis Statham
@Travis_Statham · X

I just posted "Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome -- 2014 -- In concert, these results demonstrate that the gut microbiome can rapidly respond to altered diet, potentially facilitating the..." on Reddit https://t.co/G5c5aoZ8pU

Feb 17, 2020 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 12,699 followers View post →
Mauricio Londoño R.
@LondonoMd · X

CANCER: intervenciones dietéticas tienen ventaja de ser seguras y accesibles. Un cambio en la dieta puede alterar la composición del microbioma, con evidencias que muestran cambios microbianos significativos a los 5 días de comenzar cambios. https://t.co/NdR8ZFrwbp

Jul 5, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 10,115 followers View post →

All mentions

Suzanne Alexander, M.Ed.
@SuzAlexander61 · X

@doctorkiltz @carnivoredoc @paulsaladinomd @zanegriggs courage help others pause, reflect, and listen when their own bodies speak. Eat with gratitude. Live with grace. In truth and peace,

Oct 29, 2025 · 2 likes · 228 followers View post →
Sean Gibbons
@gibbological.bsky.social · Bluesky

Next, we looked for in vivo validation data -- I remembered a gut microbiome time series with a food poisoning event on day ~150 (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24336217/), which was followed by C. diff colonization. Model predictions showed strong agreement with measured C. diff abundance over time --

Aug 6, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Craig Emmerich
@emmerich_craig · X

@CathySpark6512 @HalCranmer This study showed how fast the gut microbiome adapts to 24 hours after changing to vegan or carnivore the gut bugs changed. But in either case, they had all the same bugs, just different amounts. https://t.co/mrUbj8EHH9

May 25, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,453 followers View post →
Eve Beavers-Fain BSN MPH
@espacetimeNOT · X

RT @gerdosi: @Eva3034385615 The entire microbiota cannot be replaced, but profound changes can be introduced by 2-3 days of strong dietary…

Dec 9, 2024 · 2 shares · 1,211 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/FG4E9MxwoP

Mar 13, 2024 · 1 like · 3,983 followers View post →
LucyDuplessis
@LucyDuplessis · X

RT @lyssasphere: Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/KTUdkElKQl

Mar 4, 2024 · 1 share · 50 followers View post →
Slick
@lyssasphere · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/KTUdkElKQl

Mar 4, 2024 · 6 likes · 1 share · 47,882 followers View post →
Anup Singh - Founder CEO dLife Healthcare Pvt Ltd
@dlifein · X

RT @jasmeet481: For your reference: https://t.co/06EQJZfEcV There's nothing unique about fiber. If you are on an animal-based diet and wor…

Dec 12, 2023 · 12,135 followers View post →
Dr. Jasmeet Kaur (PhD)
@jasmeet481 · X

For your reference: https://t.co/06EQJZfEcV There's nothing unique about fiber. If you are on an animal-based diet and worried about the postbiotic SCFA, butyrate, just relax and chill. For those who eat vegetables, you also chill with lots of fiber. @shashiiyengar https://t.co/YzvKsQgeEZ

Dec 12, 2023 · 10 likes · 4,169 followers View post →
Craig Emmerich
@emmerich_craig · X

@TraderMick_ Here you go: https://t.co/mrUbj8EHH9

Sep 30, 2023 · 3 likes · 1,453 followers View post →
HectorIvanPalacioG
@Heivpago · X

RT @LondonoMd: CANCER: intervenciones dietéticas tienen ventaja de ser seguras y accesibles. Un cambio en la dieta puede alterar la compo…

Jul 5, 2023 · 2 shares · 64 followers View post →
Mauricio Zúñiga M
@almazumo01 · X

RT @LondonoMd: CANCER: intervenciones dietéticas tienen ventaja de ser seguras y accesibles. Un cambio en la dieta puede alterar la compo…

Jul 5, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,115 followers View post →
Mauricio Londoño R.
@LondonoMd · X

CANCER: intervenciones dietéticas tienen ventaja de ser seguras y accesibles. Un cambio en la dieta puede alterar la composición del microbioma, con evidencias que muestran cambios microbianos significativos a los 5 días de comenzar cambios. https://t.co/NdR8ZFrwbp

Jul 5, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 10,115 followers View post →
睡眠良くしたければケトジェニック!(低糖質&高脂質)|小林充典|日本睡眠学会歯科専門医
@tolucky39 · X

食物繊維の摂取で健康効果のある短鎖脂肪酸の生成を期待するのであれば、動物性タンパク質でも短鎖脂肪酸は生成できる 参考文献 Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome 食事は迅速かつ再現的に人間の腸内細菌叢を変化させる https://t.co/e8GNGqV8y4 https://t.co/vT1rBXYGlI

May 18, 2023 · 1,090 followers View post →
Sean Gibbons
@gibbological.bsky.social · Bluesky

Big thanks to the researchers who made their data available for this analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25825673/; https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mSystems.00031-18; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24336217/; and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36109637/

May 1, 2023 · 1 share View post →
rowforfun
@rowforfun · X

@fromztoa754 @ownyourcrohns @ibdesis @MLongMD @CrohnsColitisFn @AmerGastroAssn symptom free doesn't = inflammation free... carnivore is not a diet, there is no justification for an ALL meat diet for gut health or any other health outcome. Human intervention trials are consistent w risk of colorectal cancer https://t.co/bRdGFPLFQX

Jan 20, 2023 · 3 likes · 1,166 followers View post →
The New Neander's Medical
@NNeanderMedical · X

3/ Dietary may change stool microbiome. But, in a study, on a high fat-high protein-low carbs diet, Escherichia and some other proteobacteria went up 10E2(claster 26). That diet isn't the ultimate solution. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome, David,2013 https://t.co/mplkirU0ex

Nov 9, 2022 · 624 followers View post →
Fakepodcastnotes
@Fakepodcastnote · X

Eat more plant fiber and your gut will contain more enzymes to degrade plant fiber.. duh Eat more meat, same thing! This study showed that alpha diversity did not change when patients had ZERO plant fiber https://t.co/weJr1KaImn

Jul 13, 2022 View post →
Mónica Piñeiro
@monicapiii · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/DXKe9a7579

Jan 14, 2022 · 60 followers View post →
GroidFarmer
@GroidFarmer · X

@james1974_v https://t.co/14HdeiFJyu https://t.co/67WkRufMTd

Dec 1, 2021 · 95 followers View post →
Simon Hill MSc, BSc
@theproof · X

@CarnivoreIs @OhhiyoGarmen BTW you do have a few studies on actual carnivores. Like this one: https://t.co/VZA3yZ1UWI Carnivore: "Microbiome research doesn't count (read this review that confirms my bias) thus I don't care if they had more inflammatory bacteria and secondary bile salts!"

Jan 12, 2021 · 34,340 followers View post →
Simon Hill MSc, BSc
@theproof · X

Hmm well yeh that’s almost true. Basically no studies! There is one I know of: https://t.co/FI5JD3qPf7 Changes in microbiome after just 5 days on a carnivore diet don’t look so great to me https://t.co/Dbg1uQ5Mrb

Jan 6, 2021 · 7 likes · 34,340 followers View post →
Shawn Akers
@sh_akers · X

@Suzanne_Devkota @MikeAlbertMD It does no such thing. https://t.co/a26cmF23hM

Oct 29, 2020 · 632 followers View post →
Eve Beavers-Fain BSN MPH
@espacetimeNOT · X

RT @gerdosi: @Eva3034385615 The entire microbiota cannot be replaced, but profound changes can be introduced by 2-3 days of strong dietary…

Oct 7, 2020 · 2 shares · 1,211 followers View post →
Shawn Akers
@sh_akers · X

@JumpDudeTslaQ @NowhereTOR22 @KetoSaved @BioLayne https://t.co/a26cmF23hM

Sep 25, 2020 · 1 like · 632 followers View post →
Javier Castro
@Macedonio09 · X

RT @DrJavierCrespo: Amazing. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. This change occurred 1 day after the diet reach…

Aug 7, 2020 · 3 shares · 236 followers View post →
Elena del Olmo
@eledelolmo · X

RT @DrJavierCrespo: Amazing. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. This change occurred 1 day after the diet reach…

Aug 7, 2020 · 3 shares · 481 followers View post →
Juan Basterra
@basterra_juan · X

RT @DrJavierCrespo: Amazing. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. This change occurred 1 day after the diet reach…

Aug 6, 2020 · 3 shares · 807 followers View post →
Javier Crespo
@DrJavierCrespo · X

Amazing. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. This change occurred 1 day after the diet reached the distal gut microbiota. Subjects’ gut microbiota reverted to their original structure 2 days after the animal-based diet ended. doi:10.1038/nature12820 https://t.co/dB5WDc8Bc3

Aug 6, 2020 · 5 likes · 3 shares · 5,850 followers View post →
DrRPalmquist
@DrPalmquist · X

Diet Rapidly and Reproducibly Alters the Human Gut Microbiome - PubMed https://t.co/d0Tf8cPUK9

May 13, 2020 · 3,163 followers View post →
Simon Harvey
@Simon_GB · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/2KpuctlaJJ

Apr 18, 2020 · 1 like · 17,641 followers View post →
Travis Statham
@Travis_Statham · X

I just posted "Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome -- 2014 -- In concert, these results demonstrate that the gut microbiome can rapidly respond to altered diet, potentially facilitating the..." on Reddit https://t.co/G5c5aoZ8pU

Feb 17, 2020 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 12,699 followers View post →
Travis Statham
@Travis_Statham · X

I just posted "Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome - July 2014 - Lawrence David (Classic study where 5 day plant-only vs animal-only carnivore diets were studied in detail around digestion ..." on Reddit https://t.co/KE3Nusawij

Feb 17, 2020 · 1 like · 12,699 followers View post →
Pattibe
@pattiber1 · X

RT @gerdosi: @drjamesdinic @puddleg @KetoCarnivore @TuckerGoodrich @DrPaulMason @Ken__Strain @patentbobm @fire_bottle @armandosinger @Plome…

Jan 16, 2020 · 1 share · 787 followers View post →
Healthy tips and motivation
@tipsanddiet · X

RT @GuiltFreeTips: Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. - #PubMed - @NCBI https://t.co/PdSNGyaw4Y

Jan 15, 2020 · 1 share · 467 followers View post →
Health Research
@GuiltFreeTips · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. - #PubMed - @NCBI https://t.co/PdSNGyaw4Y

Jan 15, 2020 · 1 share · 2,267 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@drjamesdinic @puddleg @KetoCarnivore @TuckerGoodrich @DrPaulMason @Ken__Strain @patentbobm @fire_bottle @armandosinger @PlomeekSoup @ADreyzen @NutritionalThe3 @DataInforms @FatEmperor @WilliamDavisMD @drandyphung @DaveKeto @virtahealth @BenBikmanPhD @KenDBerryMD @zoeharcombe That difference disappears in 2-3 days after a profound dietary change, although mucosa-associated changes may take more time. David, Lawrence A., et al. 2013. “Diet Rapidly and Reproducibly Alters the Human Gut Microbiome.” Nature 505 (7484): 559–63. https://t.co/HumYPKmYhx.

Jan 15, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 25,884 followers View post →
くずお
@tanpakugakatsu · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. - PubMed - NCBI 肉食断糖に傾くとバクテロイデスという腸内細菌が増えるけど… https://t.co/Njg2DNfE3X

Jan 3, 2020 · 1 like · 133 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@Mike24816 It takes just a few days for the microbiota to adapt even to huge shifts in diet. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Nov 24, 2019 · 25,884 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@Eva3034385615 The entire microbiota cannot be replaced, but profound changes can be introduced by 2-3 days of strong dietary modifications. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Oct 8, 2019 · 19 likes · 2 shares · 25,884 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@richcollins Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Sep 21, 2019 · 2 likes · 25,884 followers View post →
Nuala Woulfe
@Nuala_Woulfe · X

The three-day rule came from a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature . Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome #diet #gut #health #wellness https://t.co/faRhgim71X

Aug 13, 2019 · 1,791 followers View post →
Mikki Williden PhD
@MikkiWilliden · X

The paper that suggests in the short term, a high fat plant-free diet isn't detrimental to the gut. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/3oqA4JJM9R

Aug 11, 2019 · 1 like · 2,239 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@flavapava @MigraineBook @MDVilntfluid @drmenonsunil9 Our microbiota also shifts towards a carnivore type in just a few days. It’s usually interpreted as bad, including increased amino acid fermentation. Just have a look at how the authors try to explain away their findings, even if changes appear beneficial. https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Jun 18, 2019 · 25,884 followers View post →
ahmad farouk
@tahrirdoctors · X

Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/QjgRiHn89h

Jun 12, 2019 · 1,179 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@MDVilntfluid @drmenonsunil9 There are many worth looking at. E.g. those comparing mammals with different diets. Or this human study. I mean the results, not the authors’ comments. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Jun 10, 2019 · 1 like · 25,884 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@biomedi48988641 Many would point out a specific diet. I’d say we don’t even know really well what microbiomes are favorable. E.g. check out the explanations for the observations in this landmark study, how the authors try to fit their findings into pre-existing views. https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA

Jun 3, 2019 · 25,884 followers View post →
Gabor Erdosi
@gerdosi · X

@mamlam Not really, I was rather referring to this: Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome https://t.co/afWLAMjqxA Remove smoking, bad sleep, air pollution, lack of daily (mild) physical exertion, etc., all having negative effects.

Jun 2, 2019 · 25,884 followers View post →
Scherly Leon, MD MPH
@sleonmd.bsky.social · Bluesky

#NKFClinicals Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome

Apr 11, 2018 View post →