OverviewYour gut bacteria may love more than just fiber-certain plant proteins could also improve your health. Scientists have discovered that plant-based diets may protect your health not only because of their fiber, but also because of certain hard-to-digest plant proteins. These proteins help gut bacteria produce more beneficial compounds while reducing harmful ones. Researchers found that gut bacteria break down nutrients from plants to produce different substances, called phenol metabolites. The study showed that dietary fiber and a newly identified group of indigestible plant proteins, which researchers call "Prif" (proteins imitating fiber), work together to improve gut health.