Whole-grain wheat breakfast cereal has a prebiotic effect on the human gut microbiota: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between dietary intake of whole grains and the risk of chronic disease. This may be related to the ability to mediate a prebiotic modulation of gut microbiota. However, no studies have been conducted on the microbiota modulatory capability of whole-grain (WG) cereals. In the present study, the impact of WG wheat on the human intestinal microbiota compared to wheat bran (WB) was determined. A double-blind, randomised, crossover study was carried out in thirty-one volunteers who were randomised into two groups and consumed daily 48 g breakfast cereals, either WG or WB, in two 3-week study periods, separated by a 2-week washout period. Numbers of faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (the target genera for prebiotic intake), were significantly higher upon WG ingestion compared with WB. Ingestion of both breakfast cereals resulted in a significant increase in ferulic acid concentrations in blood but no discernible difference in faeces or urine. No significant differences in faecal SCFA, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), TAG or HDL-cholesterol were observed upon ingestion of WG compared with WB. However, a significant reduction in TC was observed in volunteers in the top quartile of TC concentrations upon ingestion of either cereal. No adverse intestinal symptoms were reported and WB ingestion increased stool frequency. Daily consumption of WG wheat exerted a pronounced prebiotic effect on the human gut microbiota composition. This prebiotic activity may contribute towards the beneficial physiological effects of WG wheat.

Genetically identical co-housed pigs as models for dietary studies of gut microbiomes

“…The dietary sources used in our study exerted a differential influence on the GIT taxonomic and the predicted functional composition of these genetically identical co-housed pigs. These results agree with prior studies, which reported that different dietary fibers perceptibly change the GIT microbiome composition [52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. For example, in a recent study, Hooda et al [53] revealed that polydextrose and soluble corn fiber consumption promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria in humans, including Veillonellaceae and F. prausnitzii.…”

Association of dietary patterns with the fecal microbiota in Korean adolescents

“…Of these, diet is considered a key contributor to the diversity of the gut microbiota, explaining 57% of the total structural variation, while only 12% is related to genetic differences [10]. Therefore, many studies have focused on the relationship between the gut microbiota and dietary factors, such as dietary pattern (vegetarian and Western) [11,12], specific foods (whole grain products, fruits, and vegetables) [13][14][15][16][17], and food constituents (dietary fiber, fat, and protein) [8,[18][19][20]. Interestingly, a recent study showed that European children who consumed a typical Western diet had a microbiota enriched in Firmicutes and Enterobacteriaceae, whereas rural African children, who consumed a diet low in fat and animal protein and rich in plant-based foods, had greater abundances of the genera Bacteroidetes and Prevotella [7].…”

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“…Whole grain (including wheat) products are increasingly popular mainly due to their enhanced nutritional quality and the health benefits associated with their high fiber content and the presence of bioactive compounds (81,82). Most wheatbased foods prepared with refined flour can also be prepared with whole wheat flour (Fig.…”