A 12-week randomized controlled trial in older adults showed that daily intake of 30 g soy protein preserved muscle mass and improved muscle performance compared with usual diet, alongside beneficial shifts in the gut microbiome. The intervention increased short-chain fatty acid–producing bacteria, reduced taxa linked to poorer muscle outcomes, enriched amino acid metabolism and vitamin biosynthesis pathways, and depleted inflammatory microbial pathways. Transient increases in butyrate and branched-chain SCFAs correlated with functional muscle improvements, supporting a gut muscle axis mechanism. These findings suggest soy protein as an effective nutritional strategy to help counter sarcopenia by promoting a healthier, functionally supportive gut microbiota.
Source : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.70212
