Instead of Calories, Should We Be Counting our Consumption of Exosomes and MicroRNAs?

Abstract

The specific foods to eat for optimal nutrition remain ill-defined. Studies using plantbased diets or milk suggest that vesicles, termed exosomes, and small RNAs termed microRNAs (miRNAs) are health promoting components in foods. However, numerous studies refute the potential of dietary cross-kingdom communication of exosomes and miRNAs. While research reinforces that plant-based diets and milk are healthy components of a well-rounded diet, the bioavailability and bioactivity of the exosomes and miRNAs present in plant-based diets and milk remain unclear. Further investigations of plant-based diet and milk exosome like particles may open a new era in application of food for overall health enhancement. In addition, the potential biotechnological plantbased diet and milk exosome like particles can aid in cancer treatment.