Two-Week Tomato-Rich Diet Shifts Gut Microbiome Toward Healthier Profile in Pig Model — Evidence for Potential Benefits in Humans

A 2022 animal study examined the effects of a tomato-rich diet on gut microbiome composition using piglets, which physiologically resemble humans in aspects of digestion and metabolism. Twenty piglets were assigned either to a control diet or a diet supplemented with tomato powder (isocaloric macronutrient-matched) and followed for 14 days.

Major findings:

By day 14, the tomato-fed group exhibited a shift in gut microbial composition: a higher ratio of Bacteroidota to Bacillota (formerly Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes), which is often considered a marker for a healthier gut microbiome.

Microbiome analysis also showed increased alpha-diversity (a measure of microbial variety) in the tomato-fed animals, indicating a more diverse and resilient gut microbial ecosystem.

These changes occurred without differences in body weight or feed intake, suggesting the shift was due to tomato supplementation rather than caloric or macronutrient differences.

Interpretation: Although this is an animal study, the results imply that regular consumption of tomatoes (or tomato-based products) could beneficially influence the human gut microbiome. Given the critical role of gut microbiota in immune function, nutrient absorption, and metabolic health, these findings support the inclusion of tomato products in a balanced diet. Researchers behind the study suggest that human trials should follow to evaluate whether similar microbiome benefits occur in people.