Unusual property of egg white surprised scientists

Scientists have discovered: egg white can trigger processes that destroy the protective layer of the intestine. The sensational research results are published in the prestigious scientific journal The ISME Journal.

During the experiment, specialists from the University of North Carolina divided laboratory mice into groups with different mono-protein diets: egg white, soy, yeast, and brown rice. After just seven days, scientists recorded dramatic changes in the gut microbiome of the rodents.

The study showed that different protein sources have a unique impact on metabolic processes and microflora composition. The most significant changes were caused by diets based on brown rice, yeast, and egg white. Some diets stimulated the activity of bacteria that break down amino acids, which could potentially affect the overall condition of the body and the functioning of the gut-brain connection.

Scientists were particularly alarmed by another fact: complex carbohydrate compounds (glycans) associated with proteins significantly change the enzymatic activity of microorganisms. In mice receiving egg white, bacteria that produce enzymes similar to those that destroy mucin—the most important protective substance of the intestinal walls—became activated. This discovery calls into question the safety of some popular protein diets for digestive system health.