The correlations between diet, gut microbiome and health are analyzed in the largest international research project conducted to date. The scientific study, published in Nature Medicine, analyzes the impact of food on host microorganism communities. She clearly points out the connection, pointing the way to preventing metabolic diseases. (1)
Research, Predict (Personalized Responses to Dietary Composition Trial), was initiated in 2018 by the British epidemiologist Tim Spector on a sample of 1.098 adult individuals in the USA and Great Britain, including over a hundred twins (identical and not). Analyzing 1.203 microorganisms, in their intestinal bacterial communities.
Same genes, different microbiome
Researchersthey compared the diet, microbiome, and body mass index of the study participants. They monitored pre- and post-meal blood levels of sugars, hormones, cholesterol, and inflammation levels. Noting your sleep and exercise habits.
Genetics, unlike what has been estimated up to now, it has been found to be irrelevant to the composition of the microbiome. In fact, the comparative analysis showed that identical twins, among the participants, share only 34% of the same intestinal microbes, compared to the typical 30% among people without any kinship.
'Good' bacteria with the right foods
The determining factorfor the characterization of the microbiome and metabolic health, on the other hand, it is confirmed to be food. Thanks to the analysis of food diaries, the prevalence of bacteria that are allies of health emerges in the microbiota of those who regularly consume vegetables and dried fruit (spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, seeds, nuts, etc.). The fibers of which these foods are rich, among other things, proved useful
also to the significant reduction (-30%) in mortality from all causes. The animal proteins contained in natural or lightly processed foods, such as fish and whole yogurt, also favor the development of 'good' bacteria.
The presence of these bacteriait is associated with both better glycemic control and lower levels of visceral fat. That is to say, the fat that accumulates around internal organs and increases the risk of heart disease (the first cause of mortality worldwide, as seen). The beneficial gut bacteria then help reduce inflammation levels as well as blood fat levels.
Junk food and damage to the microbiome
Habitual consumptionof ultra-processed foods with too much sugar and / or salt, saturated fats and additives is vice versa associated with higher concentrations of 'bad' bacteria in the intestinal microbiome. It is no coincidence that junk food has already shown itself to be able to unhinge the immune system, in fact regulated by the microbiota. (2)
Recognize junk foodit's easy, as seen. Snackand sweets , sugary drinks, ready meals and products made with substances unknown to domestic cooking and with poor nutritional profiles (HFSS, High in Fats, Sugar and Sodium).
From microbiome analysis to prevention
Predict, nomen omen, suggests that examining the microbiome could also help understand individual exposure to the risk of developing metabolic diseases. On this basis, nutritionists could develop customized diets with specific prevention purposes.
Further evidenceemerged from the study is the variety of responses to identical foods in individuals. Different responses both in the formation of the microbiome and in the metabolic response.
Preventionit is always rooted in a varied and balanced diet. Better if based on organic foods, which are also healthier for the microbiome and the immune system as seen.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Cover image, see note 3
Footnotes
(1) Asnicar, F., Berry, SE, Valdes, AM et al. Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals. Nat Med (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-01183-8
(2) Anette Christ, Patrick Günther, Mario AR Lauterbach, Peter Duewell, Debjani Biswas, Karin Pelka, Claus J. Scholz, Marije Oosting, Kristian Haendler, Kevin Baßler, Kathrin Klee, Jonas Schulte-Schrepping, Thomas Ulas, Simone JCFM Moorlag , Vinod Kumar, Min Hi Park, Leo AB Joosten, Laszlo A. Groh, Niels P. Riksen, Terje Espevik, Andreas Schlitzer, Yang Li, Michael L. Fitzgerald, Mihai G. Netea, Joachim L. Schultze und Eicke Latz. Western diet triggers NLRP3-dependent innate immune reprograming '. Cell, 11.1.2018, doi: 10.1016 / j.cell.2017.12.013
(3) Justin L. Sonnenburg, Erica D. Sonnenburg (2019).Vulnerability of the industrialized microbiota. Science. 25 Oct 2019. Vol. 366, Issue 6464, eaaw9255 doi: 10.1126 / science.aaw9255
A professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic studies on food and has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
