Effects of Iron and Zinc Biofortified Foods on Gut Microbiota In Vivo (Gallus gallus): A Systematic Review

Juste Contin Gomes, M. and Stampini Duarte Martino, H. and Tako, E.

Nutrients (2021) 13:

DOI: 10.3390/nu13010189

Abstract

Dietary iron and zinc deficiencies are a global health concern. Bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract depend on minerals to maintain their activities; thus, recent evidence suggests that biofortified foods can modulate the host’s beneficial bacterial taxa. The current review analyzed the research data that linked between iron and zinc biofortified foods and gut microbiota modulation. The data analysis was based on the PRISMA guidelines and the data search was performed at PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases for experimental studies published from January 2010 until December 2020. The five selected studies were conducted in an experimental in vivo model (Gallus gallus). The identified and discussed research showed positive effects of biofortified foods on the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Further, an increase in short chain fatty acids producing bacterial populations as Lactobacillus and Ruminococcus, and a decrease in potentially pathogenic bacteria as Streptococcus, Escherichia, and Enterobacter was identified due to the consumption of biofortified foods. In conclusion, biofortified foods may contribute to improved gut health without increasing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. The dietary inclusion of approximately 50% of iron/zinc biofortified foods has a significant beneficial effect on the gut microbiota. Additional studies in humans and animal models are warranted to further establish the suggested effects on the intestinal microbiome. PROSPERO (CRD42020184221).

Citation

Juste Contin Gomes, M., Stampini Duarte Martino, H., & Tako, E. (2021). Effects of Iron and Zinc Biofortified Foods on Gut Microbiota In Vivo (Gallus gallus): A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13010189 Animals, Humans, Chickens, Diet, animal models, systematic reviews, diets, guidelines, intestines, minerals, fatty acids, short chain fatty acids, microorganisms, Biodiversity, digestive system, iron, microbial flora, zinc, food intake, digestive tract, intestinal microorganisms, *Food, Fortified, bacteria taxa, Bacteria/classification/drug effects, diversity analysis, Fatty Acids, Volatile, Gastrointestinal Microbiome/*drug effects, Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology, intestinal health, Iron, Dietary/*pharmacology, Iron/*pharmacology, Zinc/*pharmacology, biofortification, food enrichment, fortification, Norisoprenoids, Oxalic Acid, Zinc

Keywords

• Animals
• Humans
• Chickens
• Diet
• animal models
• systematic reviews
• diets
• guidelines
• intestines
• minerals
• fatty acids
• short chain fatty acids
• microorganisms
• Biodiversity
• digestive system
• iron
• microbial flora
• zinc
• food intake
• digestive tract
• intestinal microorganisms
• *Food
• Fortified
• bacteria taxa
• Bacteria/classification/drug effects
• diversity analysis
• Fatty Acids
• Volatile
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome/*drug effects
• Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
• intestinal health
• Iron
• Dietary/*pharmacology
• Iron/*pharmacology
• Zinc/*pharmacology
• biofortification
• food enrichment
• fortification
• Norisoprenoids
• Oxalic Acid
• Zinc