The team found that these specific proteins interfere with a needle-like structure on the surface of cholera bacteria, known as the type 6 secretion system, which the microbes use to inject toxins and outcompete other gut bacteria. By weakening this system, high-protein foods may give the body’s normal gut microbes a better chance to keep cholera in check. Although the findings are based on animal studies, researchers believe similar effects may occur in people and see protein-focused diets as a low-cost, low-risk way to help reduce the severity or likelihood of infection in regions where cholera remains common. They emphasize that dietary strategies do not carry the same risk of driving antibiotic resistance and could complement existing public health measures.
References
Liu, R., Zhang, Y., Ge, S., Cho, J. Y., Esteves, N. C., Zhu, J., & Hsiao, A. (2025). Diet modulates Vibrio cholerae colonization and competitive outcomes with the gut microbiota. Cell Host & Microbe.
University of California – Riverside. (2026, January 11). Scientists discover a high-protein diet could dramatically reduce cholera infections. SciTechDaily. Voir moins
