DIET-INDUCED CHANGES OF FERMENTED BEAN AND COCONUT ON GUT MICROBES AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DURING COLITIS INFLAMMATION

Balanced diets are known to support optimal erythropoiesis and immune function, while nutrient-deficient or unbalanced diets can lead to systemic stress, inflammation, and impaired physiological responses. This study assessed the effects of dietary regimens of underutilized bean and coconut on hematological parameters and colonic histology, exploring gut microbial and intestinal responses to diet-induced changes during colitis inflammation. The positive control group, demonstrated optimal immune and erythropoietic profiles with WBC counts of 6.65±0.56 x10³/µL, RBC counts of 8.5 x10⁶/µL, and HB levels of 9.3 g/dL. In contrast, combined unfermented and coconut water fed a diet, exhibited significantly reduced hematological parameters, including WBC (1.12 x10³/µL), RBC (2.8 x10⁶/µL), and HB (0.78 g/dL), suggestive of anemia and systemic stress. However, rats fed with unfermented coconut and its water also showed an elevated lymphocyte percentage (70%), indicating possible compensatory immune activation. Histological analysis revealed inflamed tissues in group fed with coconut and beans Otili) appeared with goblet cell hyperplasia and lymphocytic infiltration, features characteristic of chronic inflammation. Meanwhile, the control group maintained intact colonic and intestinal mucosa, supporting efficient absorption and immune regulation. These findings emphasize the influence of dietary composition on systemic and intestinal health