Facts, Figures & Tips on Fibers & Gut Microbiota

Title: Facts, Figures & Tips on Fibers & Gut Microbiota

Within the gut lies a complex community of microorganisms that interact with one another and with the human host. It is able to modulate biological processes that are essential to health, from the digestive function to the immune system and more¹Koh, A., De Vadder, F., Kovatcheva-Datchary, P., Bäckhed, F., From Dietary Fiber to Host Physiology: Short-Chain Fatty Acids as Key Bacterial Metabolites. Cell 165. p.1332-1345. Published 2016 , ² Makki, K., Deehan, E.C., Walter, J., Bäckhed, F., The Impact of Dietary Fiber on Gut Microbiota in Host Health and Disease. Cell Host & Microbe, 23. p. 705-715.  Published 2018 : it’s the gut microbiota!

Diet is a key modulator in the composition of this microbial ecosystem. Indeed, dietary fibers account for the main source of carbohydrates accessible to the gut microbiota from the human diet. While our bodies do not have the intrinsic capacity to degrade fibers, the bacteria living in our gut do! ³ Han, M., Wang, C., Liu, P., Li, D., Li, Y., Ma, X., Dietary Fiber Gap and Host Gut Microbiota. Protein & Peptide Letters, volume 24, n°5. p. 388-396. Published 2017

Thus, in this human-microbiota symbiosis, our role is to provide gut microbiota with the substrates on which they feed. In return, our gut microbiota supports us and many of our body functions.

Understanding the link between fibers and gut microbiota is essential in appreciating the pivotal role they both play in our health and driving mindful choices about the food we consume.