Back to Search Start Over

Effects of Fermented Vegetable Consumption on Human Gut Microbiome Diversity—A Pilot Study

Authors :
Kerstin Thriene
Sina S. Hansen
Nadine Binder
Karin B. Michels
Source :
Fermentation, Vol 8, Iss 3, p 118 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

The interest in fermented food products has been increasing in recent years. Details about their microbial composition and the effects of their consumption on the human gut microbiome are of particular interest. However, evidence regarding their potential to increase gut microbial diversity, a measure likely associated with health, is lacking. To address this, we analyzed the microbial composition of commercially available fermented vegetables using 16S rRNA sequencing. We also conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of studying the effects of regular consumption of fermented vegetables on the gut microbiome. Six healthy male volunteers participated in a randomized crossover trial, with two two-week intervention phases. Volunteers consumed 150 g/d of either sauerkraut or a variety of six different commercially available fermented vegetables. This study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00014840). Lactobacillales was the dominant family in all fermented vegetables studied. However, the alpha diversity, richness and evenness of the microbiota differed substantially among the different products. The number of species per product varied between 20 and 95. After consumption of both sauerkraut and the selection of fermented vegetables, we observed a slight increase in alpha diversity. Specifically, the amount of the genus Prevotella decreased while the amount of Bacteroides increased after both interventions. However, these initial observations need to be confirmed in larger studies. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of this type of research.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23115637
Volume :
8
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Fermentation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f1d7e4ff50e34bde98a6fa4b6f5c1e88
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8030118