King's College London study finds vegetables beat probiotics for gut health

Researchers at King's College London conducted a six‑week trial with 349 British adults, comparing a daily supplement containing more than 30 different vegetables (called Daily30) to a standard Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic capsule and a control group receiving croutons. The vegetable mix increased the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria by 57 species, while the probiotic and control groups showed changes in only 4 and 14 species respectively.

Around half of the participants who took the vegetable supplement reported higher energy levels, reduced hunger, and improvements in digestive symptoms such as constipation and heartburn. Forty‑five percent also noted a boost in overall wellbeing. Lead researchers Professor Sarah Berry and Professor Tim Spector said the findings suggest that a varied plant‑based diet is far more effective than isolated probiotic pills for nurturing a healthy microbiome.