Gutless marine worms, known as Pompeii worms, have been found to have a surprisingly healthy Mediterranean-style diet, according to a new study. Scientists at the University of Oxford studied the worms and found that they are able to survive and thrive on a diet of bacteria, seaweed, and other organic matter that they collect from their environment. The worms don’t have a digestive system, yet they are still able to extract nutrients from their food. This suggests that their bacteria-rich diet could be beneficial for their overall health and well-being.

The study is the first to look at the dietary makeup of the Pompeii worms, and its results could have implications for our understanding of the human gut microbiome. The findings suggest that a diverse diet, similar to the one observed in the worms, could be beneficial for our digestive health. It could also provide insight into how we can better use our gut bacteria to support overall health and well-being.

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source: Phys.org