Microbiome-Tailored Food Products Based On Typical Mediterranean Diet Components

Plain-language summary

The composition and functions of the microbiome impact human metabolism and health status. Diet plays a fundamental role in shaping the structure of the gut microbiome, modulating the interaction between the gut microbiome and the human host. Western dietary patterns including a high consumption of red and processed meat, refined grains and sugars, and dairy products have been associated with a high incidence of chronic diseases. It is widely recognised that there is a higher consumption of plant-based foods in Mediterranean countries than in other Western countries. The Mediterranean diet involves a high intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, minimally processed cereals, moderate consumption of fish and a low consumption of saturated fats, meat and dairy products with regular intake of extra virgin olive oil. The Mediterranean diet reduces the incidence of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Interesting results emerged from the evaluation of the microbiome-metabolome interaction, which shows that individuals with the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet had much higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and increased levels of the beneficial fiber-degrading bacteria compared to subjects with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The study of the effect on the microbiota of specific foods with anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties is interesting and of potential clinical impact.

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