Effect of anthocyanins on gut health markers, Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio and short-chain fatty acids: a systematic review via meta-analysis

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 1729 - 16
• Main Authors: Kapoor, Payal, Tiwari, Apoorv, Sharma, Saloni, Tiwari, Vandita, Sheoran, Bhawna, Ali, Usman, Garg, Monika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 31.01.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/61; 692/700; Acetic Acid; Anthocyanins; Bacteroidetes - genetics; Butyric acid; Clinical trials; Diet; Dosage; Dysbacteriosis; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Firmicutes; Firmicutes - genetics; Heterogeneity; Humanities and Social Sciences; Intestinal microflora; Meta-analysis; multidisciplinary; Propionic acid; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Systematic review
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28764-0

Researchers discovered that diets rich in anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables significantly impacted gut flora. To conclude, large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials are challenging to conduct; therefore, merging data from multiple small studies may aid. A systematic review collects and analyses all research on a particular subject and design. This comprehensive review and meta-analysis examined the influence of dietary anthocyanins on Firmicutes/Bacteroide (Fir/Bac) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content. The current meta-analysis followed the guidelines of PRISMA—the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Diets high in anthocyanins substantially reduced the Fir/Bac ratio in the assessed trials. Among three SCFAs, the highest impact was observed on acetic acid, followed by propionic acid, and then butanoic acid. The meta-analysis results also obtained sufficient heterogeneity, as indicated by I 2 values. There is strong evidence that anthocyanin supplementation improves rodent gut health biomarkers (Fir/Bac and SCFAs), reducing obesity-induced gut dysbiosis, as revealed in this systematic review/meta-analysis. Anthocyanin intervention duration and dosage significantly influenced the Fir/Bac ratio and SCFA. Anthocyanin-rich diets were more effective when consumed over an extended period and at a high dosage.