A new Australian study has revealed that just two days of consuming high-fat meals can silently damage gut health by triggering hidden inflammation, even before any physical symptoms appear.
Researchers at Melbourne’s WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) discovered that short-term exposure to fatty food depletes a crucial protective protein in the gut, IL-22, which is essential for maintaining gut integrity and preventing inflammation.
This hidden inflammation, the study suggests, can gradually accumulate over time and potentially contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases such as bowel disease, coeliac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Senior author Dr. Cyril Seillet emphasized that every meal impacts gut health, noting that saturated fats not only build up inflammation but also weaken gut defences over time.
The study, published in the journal Immunity, found that high-fat diets create a “double hit” to the gut by both promoting inflammation and impairing the body’s ability to fight it.
First author Le Xiong highlighted that the absence of IL-22 leaves the gut vulnerable to inflammation and long-term health complications.
However, the researchers found a positive link between consuming unsaturated fats – such as those found in nuts and avocados – and increased IL-22 production, suggesting a natural way to boost gut resilience.
With about one-third of Australians living with chronic inflammatory diseases, the findings underscore the importance of dietary choices in preventing long-term health issues.
The researchers hope the study will influence future dietary guidelines aimed at strengthening gut health and reducing the risk of inflammatory conditions.
