Fiber Consumption Mediates Differences in Several Gut Microbes in a Subpopulation of Young Mexican Adults.

Avilene Rodríguez-Lara,Alejandra Vázquez-Aguilar,Ana I Álvarez-Mercado,Zyanya Reyes-Castillo,Julio Plaza-Díaz,Patricia López-Uriarte

doi:10.3390/nu14061214

Abstract

Diet is a determinant for bodyweight and gut microbiota composition. Changes in dietary patterns are useful for the prevention and management of overweight and obesity. We aim to evaluate diet behavior and its potential association with selected gut bacteria and body weight among Mexican young adults. Mexican college students aged between 18 and 25 (normal-weight, overweight, and obese) were recruited. Anthropometric variables were recorded. A validated food frequency questionnaire was applied to all the participants. The percentages of macronutrients, fiber, and energy were calculated, and fecal samples were analyzed by real-time-qPCR to quantify selected gut bacteria. All the participants showed an unbalanced dietary pattern. However, the consumption of fruits, non-fat cereals, and oils and fats without protein were higher in the normal-weight individuals. In the overweight/obese participants, fiber intake did not correlate with the microbial variables, while Kcal from protein and Clostridium leptum correlated positively with Lactobacillus. Similarly, Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale correlated with Akkermansia muciniphila. In the normal-weight participants, Clostridium leptum and Lactobacillus correlated positively with Clostridium coccoides-Eubacterium rectale and Bifidobacterium, respectively, and Bacteroidetes negatively with Akkermansia muciniphila. In conclusion, a higher fiber intake had a positive impact on body weight and bacterial gut composition in this Mexican population of college students.

Highlights

IntroductionThe main cause of obesity and weight gain is a positive energy balance consequence of an increased energy intake and a decreased energy output associated with a loss of physical activity [2]
The purpose of this study was to explore diet behavior among Mexican college students and their relationship with the proliferation of various bacterial rows based on body weight
568 subjects were recruited in the first stage of the study, and 50 subjects were divided according to anthropometric measures, such as body mass index (BMI) [21], into normalweight and overweight/obese

Summary

Introduction

The main cause of obesity and weight gain is a positive energy balance consequence of an increased energy intake and a decreased energy output associated with a loss of physical activity [2]. Diet is one of the major determinants for body weight gain as well as a key tool in the prevention, management, and treatment of overweight and obesity [3]. In this context, the insufficient intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but abundant intake of discretionary foods, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, is ubiquitous, in populations under 30 years old [4]. Weight gain is prominent among those aged 18–35 in most developed countries [4]

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Conclusion