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Review
. 2018 Apr 18;66(15):3754-3758.
doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b00456. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Food Design To Feed the Human Gut Microbiota

Danilo Ercolini  1   2 , Vincenzo Fogliano  3
Affiliations
Review

Food Design To Feed the Human Gut Microbiota

Danilo Ercolini et al. J Agric Food Chem. .

Abstract

The gut microbiome has an enormous impact on the life of the host, and the diet plays a fundamental role in shaping microbiome composition and function. The way food is processed is a key factor determining the amount and type of material reaching the gut bacteria and influencing their growth and the production of microbiota metabolites. In this perspective, the current possibilities to address food design toward a better feeding of gut microbiota are highlighted, together with a summary of the most interesting microbial metabolites that can be made from dietary precursors.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; food ingredients; food processing; melanoidins; metabolism; phytochemicals.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Food design has a pivotal role in defining the quantity and type of material reaching the gut microbiota. More abundant and diverse feeding material favor its health status.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dietary precursors and possible beneficial and/or detrimental metabolites produced by the gut microbiota.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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