Effect of Yoga and Meditation on Human Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review.
International Journal of Yoga January 1, 2026 Renukaradhya K Math, Palaksha Kanive Javaregowda, Satish G Patil
This systematic review of four clinical studies (one nonrandomized controlled, three observational) involving 440 healthy vegetarian or vegan participants found that yoga and meditation practice was associated with favorable changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota and their metabolites compared to nonmeditator controls. However, because all participants followed a vegetarian or vegan diet, the beneficial changes may result from the combined effects of meditation and diet rather than meditation alone.