Data from Association Between Diet and <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> in the Feces of Healthy Adults: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

<div>Abstract<p><i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> is involved in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. Although the gut microbiota is influenced by diet, studies on the association between diet and <i>F. nucleatum</i> are limited. We aimed to evaluate the association between various dietary factors and fecal <i>F. nucleatum</i> in healthy adults without a history of colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions. This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects who underwent total colonoscopy at the National Cancer Center Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) were included. Healthy subjects (<i>n</i> = 212) were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of <i>F. nucleatum</i> in their feces which was calculated from data of whole-genome shotgun sequencing, with the group with <i>F. nucleatum</i> serving as cases and the group without <i>F. nucleatum</i> serving as controls. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted potential confounders was conducted to estimate the associations between dietary intake and nutrients estimated by a validated food frequency questionnaire and the presence of <i>F. nucleatum</i> in the feces. There was a significant inverse association between dairy products and the presence of fecal <i>F. nucleatum</i> [high vs. low; OR, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.17–0.95; <i>P</i><sub>trend</sub>, 0.039]. These results may have important implications for colorectal cancer prevention through nutritional intervention.</p>Prevention Relevance:<p><i>F. nucleatum</i> is well known as a colorectal cancer–associated bacterium. Dietary habits alter the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota. A high intake of dairy products in healthy adults may reduce <i>F. nucleatum</i> and prevent colorectal cancer.</p></div>