Impact of diet on hydrogen sulfide production: Implications for gut health

Purpose of reviewExcessive hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) production by the gut microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple intestinal diseases, including colon cancer and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, understanding of dietary drivers of H₂S production has potential implications for nutritional strategies to optimize gut health and treat intestinal diseases.Recent findingsRecent studies support a positive relationship between dietary protein intake and H₂S production. However, protein rarely exists in isolation in the diet, and dietary fiber intake could reduce H₂S production in humans and animals, even with ∼30% of calories derived from protein.SummaryThese findings suggest that increased fiber intake may reduce H₂S production irrespective of protein intake, enabling the ability to meet the metabolic demands of the illness while supporting gut health. Here we discuss two recent ulcerative colitis diet studies that illustrate this point.