Microbiome Impact from a Nutrition Intervention in Young Adults: FRUVEDomics Pilot Study
Authors: Famodu Oluremi A , Infante A M , Cuff Chris C , Holaskova Ida , Olfert I Mark , Downes Marianne T , Murray Pamela J , McFadden Joseph W , Colby Sarah E , Morrell Jesse , Olfert Melissa Diann 
Published: June 2021

Background

Individuals have long since co‐existed with their gut microbiota and it is now being accepted as indispensable in healthy living. Researchers have linked an imbalanced gut microbiome with obesity, atherosclerosis and inflammation, with momentum gaining at how diet can impact the gut bacteria.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a healthy dietary intervention on the microbiome of young adults attending West Virginia University.

Methods

Subjects (n=36) followed a free‐living diet intervention for 8‐weeks centered on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Choose MyPlate recommendations. Anthropometrics, surveys, venous blood samples, stool samples, and body composition were collected at baseline and post intervention. Participants underwent individual weekly consultations with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, using food logs, food pictures and receipt management to evaluate adherence. Alterations in the fecal microbiome were assessed using high throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene (Illumina MiSeq). Paired t–testing with inverse beta binomal distribution was used to assess changes in microbiome from baseline to post and linear regression was used to calculate relationships between bacteria and certain diet components.

Results

A significant decrease in empty calories (p<0.0001) and increases in fiber (p<0.001) and cups of fruit and vegetables (p<0.0001) were seen after 8 weeks demonstrating improvements in waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05 respectively). Significant increases were seen in the phyla Cyanobacteria (fold change=3.68, adj p=0.005), the order of Clostridiales (fold change=3.14, adj p=0.003) and the families of Barnesiellaceae (fold change=15.89, adj p<0.0001), and Paraprevotellaceae (fold change=15.89, adj p<0.0001). A significant decrease was seen in S‐24 7 (fold change=−15.89, adj p<0.0001) a family in the phylum of Bacteroidetes. At baseline, alcohol was significantly related to Cyanobacteria (F=30.1, p<0.001) and Clostridiales (F=5.80, p=0.02). Following the intervention, significant relationships were seen in Bacteroidaceae and Firmicutes with grams of protein (F=10.27, p=0.004 and F=7.82, p=0.01 respectively). Additionally, Rikenellaceae was significantly related to total sugar (F=10.53, p=0.003) following the intervention.

Conclusion

Our major findings indicate that a short‐term, healthy, diet changed the microbiota of young adults and specific dietary components are linked to certain bacteria. It will be important to determine if these changes to the microbiota are linked to lower incidence of disease.

Support or Funding Information

USDA/AFRI #2014‐67001‐21851; WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute (NIH/MIGMS AwardNumber U54GM104942); WVU Mountains of Excellence Pilot Grant Program