Planetary health diet with einkorn as a potential preventive strategy to improve interdental microbiota, oral health and quality of life: a pilot clinical trial
Audrey Murat-Ringota,b , Laurie Fraticellia , Denis Bourgeoisa , Lama Basbousb ,
Anne Lastmannb, Laurence Mayaudc, Marie-Thérèse Charreyrec , Romain Lana,d and
Florence Carrouela
a Laboratory ‘Health, Systemic, Process’ (P2S), UR4129, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, Lyon, France;
b Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; cUniversite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, Université Jean Monnet, CNRS UMR 5223,
Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, Villeurbanne Cedex, France; dLaboratory ADES, Aix Marseille University, CNRS, EFS, Marseille,
France.
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) involve chronic inflammatory mechanisms
to which periodontal periodontal dysbiosis may contribute. The Planetary
Health Diet (PHD), a sustainable plant-based model for NCD prevention remains poorly
explored regarding its impact on the interdental microbiota.
Objective: To evaluate whether an einkorn-enriched PHD can reduce interdental
microbiota dysbiosis and promote oral and general health.
Design: BIOQUALIM was a 3-month, single-arm, uncontrolled longitudinal pilot trial conducted
under real-life conditions. Participants reduced their meat consumption by 50% and
consumed ≥100g/day of whole-grain einkorn. Interdental microbiota, periodontal indices,
digestive comfort, and quality of life were assessed at baseline, one and three months.
Results: Total bacterial load (p = 0.0236), Tannerella forsythia (p < 0.001) and
Treponema denticola (p < 0.001) decreased significantly. Periodontal health improved
significantly—probing depth decreased from 1.14 ± 0.70 mm to 0.58 ± 0.51 mm
(p < 0.0001) and clinical attachment loss from 1.33 ± 0.73 mm to 0.60 ± 0.57 mm
(p < 0.0001). Gingival inflammation decreased by > 60%, and bleeding on probing
decreased by >70% (p = 0.0004). Digestive comfort improved— normalized stool
frequency (p = 0.0009) and reduced postprandial drowsiness (p = 0.0196). Quality-oflife
scores increased significantly (p = 0.039).
Conclusion: An einkorn-enriched PHD was associated with improved interdental
microbiota, periodontal health, and well-being, supporting a One Health link between
sustainable nutrition, oral microbiota modulation and inflammation-related pathways..
