Is gut microbiota a relevant and competitive dietary target for cardio-metabolic health? Proceedings of an expert workshop

Background: The gut microbiota is a putative target for dietary interventions for cardio-metabolic health (CMH), including prevention of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This has generated considerable interest, but the actual feasibility for diet or specific foods to induce measurable, sustained and meaningful benefits for CMH risk by this route remains uncertain.

Scope and approach: This report summarises an expert workshop assessing the gut microbiota as a relevant, feasible and competitive target for CMH benefits by dietary interventions. It summarises the expert presentations and overall view of participants on the current status and outlook, considering also implications for the food industry.

Key findings and conclusions: Changing the gut microbiota by diet is possible, but an assessment of the impact on CMH risk is still needed, including clarifying advantages above other known dietary routes. The individual gut microbiota composition may in part determine the impact of diet and its effects on health. Therefore, future developments may identify individuals at risk and thus possible modification of the microbiota to achieve benefits in susceptible (sub) populations depending on their initial microbiota composition. Prebiotics currently appear to be the most promising ingredients; however, required doses may be relatively high and the actual role of gut microbiota needs further assessment. Overall, causal evidence linking gut microbiota interventions with CMH benefits are developing in preclinical models but are still lacking in humans. A significant research effort is needed and ongoing to determine whether potential effects can be reliably substantiated.