Flies on dietary restriction are protected from leaky gut and systemic inflammation as they age. Conversely, flies on a rich diet are more prone to intestinal permeability, developing gaps in the intestinal barrier which are caused by an age-related increase in the death of intestinal epithelial cells. Researchers also looked at dysbiosis as a contributor to leaky gut and concluded that diet may ultimately be the primary driver in cellular changes leading to intestinal permeability.