Differential Effects of Typical Korean Versus American-Style Diets on Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolic Profile in Healthy Overweight Koreans: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract

The Westernized diet has been associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, whereas a Korean diet has been reported to exert beneficial effects on health in several studies. However, the effects of Western and Korean diets on the gut microbiome and host metabolome are unclear. To examine the diet-specific effects on microbiome and metabolome, we conducted a randomized crossover clinical trial of typical Korean diet (TKD), typical American diet (TAD), and recommended American diet (RAD). The trial involved a 4-week consumption of an experimental diet followed by a 2-week interval before diet crossover. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis identified 16, 10, and 14 differential bacteria genera specific to TKD, RAD, and TAD, respectively. The Firmucutes-Bacteroidetes ratio was increased by TKD. Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolome profiling revealed that TKD enriched branched chain amino acid metabolism, whereas ketone body metabolism was evident in RAD and TAD. Microbiome and metabolome responses to the experimental diets varied with individual enterotypes. These findings provide evidence that the gut microbiome and host metabolome rapidly respond to different cultural diets. The findings will inform clarification of the diet-related communication networks of the gut microbiome and host metabolome in humans.

Association between Altered Blood Parameters and Gut Microbiota after Synbiotic Intake in Healthy, Elderly Korean Women

“…A characteristic feature of the Korean diet is that it consumes a lot of fermented foods, including kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented vegetable dish [ 75 ]. It has potential probiotic effects such as cholesterol reduction, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial activity [ 76 ]. Most of the participants in our questionnaire were on a vegetable-based diet, including kimchi, and participants were instructed to maintain their usual diet for the entire study period.…”

Circulating Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Metabolites and Its Potential Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis

“…Several studies found differences in the baseline microbiome of responders versus nonresponders to different diet interventions. Additionally, individuals with differing bacterial gene richness appear to have differing baseline gut microbiota communities that respond distinctively to a given dietary intervention which will influence the diversity of the gut microbe-derived specialized metabolites and circulating metabolites [127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136].…”

A Traditional Korean Diet Alters the Expression of Circulating MicroRNAs Linked to Diabetes Mellitus in a Pilot Trial

“…Ultimately, the K-diet is low in calories and fat, especially animal fat, but high in low glycemic index carbohydrates and vegetable protein. Due to its unique characteristics, the positive influence of the K-diet on metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease risk has been widely investigated [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Previous cohort studies and clinical trials on the K-diet have been conducted using various anthropometric markers such as body weight and body mass index as well as blood markers such as total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. However, studies investigating the molecular mechanisms by which the K-diet promotes positive health effects are rare, especially those based on microRNAs (miRs) as endpoints.…”