What does this research mean for the field?

Current evidence indicates that protein supplementation has minimal effects on overall gut microbial diversity and inconsistent effects on gut barrier integrity and inflammation, with observed changes likely confounded by co-interventions. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To systematically evaluate the effects of plant- and animal-based protein supplementation on gut microbiota composition, metabolites, barrier integrity, and inflammation in adults.

August 22, 2026Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism

Protein supplementation and the gut microbiome, metabolites, integrity, and inflammation in human adults: A scoping review of current evidence and gaps

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Authors

CDCate DauphineeUniversity of New Brunswick OLOwen LohnesUniversity of New Brunswick MKMaryam KebbePennington Biomedical Research Center

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Implication

Scoping review finds minimal overall microbial diversity changes from protein supplements in adults, highlighting that specific shifts depend heavily on co-interventions and protein type.

Key Points

To systematically evaluate the effects of plant- and animal-based protein supplementation on gut microbiota composition, metabolites, barrier integrity, and inflammation in adults.
Searched five electronic databases to identify 14 adult human studies examining whey (n=9), pea (n=3), soy (n=2), or casein (n=1) protein supplementation.
Assessed interventions ranging in dosage from 7.3 to 85 g/day over durations from 4 days to 12 weeks using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for quality appraisal.
Protein supplements produced minimal changes in alpha- and beta-diversity, though whey was linked to increases in Veillonellaceae, Bacteroides, and Bifidobacterium, whereas pea protein decreased Firmicutes and Bacteroidota.
Evidence showed inconsistent functional and metabolomic shifts, alongside no consistent effects on gut barrier integrity or inflammatory markers, with many outcomes confounded by co-interventions like exercise or prebiotics.

Cite This Study

Dauphinee et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895fc4ca7ade938187ea94 https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2025-0496

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Implication

Scoping review finds minimal overall microbial diversity changes from protein supplements in adults, highlighting that specific shifts depend heavily on co-interventions and protein type.

Protein supplementation and the gut microbiome, metabolites, integrity, and inflammation in human adults: A scoping review of current evidence and gaps

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Protein supplementation and the gut microbiome, metabolites, integrity, and inflammation in human adults: A scoping review of current evidence and gaps

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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