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A Method to Define the Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Colon Microbiome Biodiversity in a Mouse Colon Tumor Model

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Modification of the colonic microbiota.

Juliet Ansell¹, Shanthi Parkar, Gunaranjan Paturi

¹The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand. juliet.ansell@plantandfood.co.nz

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research

|February 12, 2013

Summary

Kiwifruit consumption positively impacts the human gut microbiota by providing dietary fiber and polyphenols. This modification of the colonic microbiota leads to significant beneficial effects on overall human health.

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Area of Science:

Human Gut Microbiota Ecology
Dietary Fiber and Phytochemicals
Symbiotic Host-Microbe Interactions

Background:

The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem crucial for nutrient extraction and energy metabolism.
Dietary components like phytochemicals and nondigestible carbohydrates (dietary fiber) from plant-rich diets promote gut health.
Kiwifruit are a source of polyphenolics and various polysaccharides (pectic, hemicellulosic, cellulosic).

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the effects of kiwifruit on the colonic microbiota.
To outline the beneficial health outcomes resulting from these microbiota modifications.

Main Methods:

Analysis of kiwifruit composition (polyphenolics, polysaccharides).
Review of studies on gut microbiota degradation of kiwifruit components.
Assessment of health benefits linked to microbiota modulation by kiwifruit.

Main Results:

Kiwifruit polysaccharides are degradable by gut microbiota members.
Kiwifruit polyphenolics contribute to beneficial gut environment.
Modulation of colonic microbiota composition and function by kiwifruit.

Conclusions:

Kiwifruit consumption beneficially alters the human colonic microbiota.
These alterations contribute to improved overall human health.
Kiwifruit serve as a functional food for promoting gut health.