Tailored Impact of Dietary Fibers on Gut Microbiota in Lean and Obese Communities
According to an in vitro study published in Microbiome, researchers investigated how apple fibers influence the gut microbiota in lean and obese individuals using a high-throughput micro-matrix bioreactor system, and a multi-omics approach. The authors noted differences in the baseline microbial communities of obese and lean individuals. Obese communities exhibited a higher Firmicutes:Bacteroides ratio, elevated levels of Ruminococcus bromii, and reduced levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, when compared to lean microbiome communities.
When apple dietary fibers were used in a whole-food form (pectin as soluble fiber, and cellulose as insoluble fiber), notable changes were seen in the obese microbiome. Apple pectin reduced Acidaminococcus intestini levels and increased the commensal bacterial species Megasphaera and Akkermansia. These fibers also altered metabolite production, increasing beneficial indole microbial metabolites.
The study highlights the potential of apple dietary fibers, specifically pectin, to reshape obese gut microbiota and improve metabolic health, offering a personalized approach to addressing obesity-related conditions.