Berries-Gut Microbiota Interaction and Impact on Human Health: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

ABSTRACT

Berries represent an important source of bioactive compounds, among which, (poly)phenols are the main constituents. (Poly)phenols have been shown to have important biological activities and in particular, to take a relevant role in mediating the modulation of gut microbiota and human health. Gut microbiota constitute significant players in the metabolism of ingested (poly)phenols and consequently in their biological effects. However, the evidence regarding the mutual contribution between (poly)phenol intake and gut microbiota activity in humans is still unclear. The aim of the current systematic review was to collect and assess results from randomized clinical trials addressing the role of berries in the modulation of the gut microbiota composition and how this can contribute to the metabolism of berry (poly)phenols. When information was available, the interaction of berry-gut microbiota on human health was evaluated. A total of 16 trials were included and analyzed. Overall, berries and their (poly)phenols could represent a driver for the modulation of intestinal microbes. The gut microbiota catabolize (poly)phenols by producing bioactive metabolites which can positively affect both the composition of commensal microbiota and also the host health.

KEYWORDS:

• Berries
• Polyphenols
• Gut microbiota
• Microbiome
• Metabolism
• Human health

Acknowledgments

The authors thank project MIND FoodS HUB (Milano Innovation District Food System Hub): Innovative concept for the eco‐intensification of agricultural production and for the promotion of dietary patterns for human health and longevity through the creation in MIND of a digital Food System Hub, cofounded by POR FESR 2014–2020_BANDO Call HUB Ricerca e Innovazione, Regione Lombardia. P.R., S.G. and C.D.B. acknowledge the Joint Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for Healthy Life” ERANet cofunded by Intestinal Microbiomics (ERA‐HDHL INTIMIC) with national funding by Mipaaf (“TOPNUTRIGUT”, D.M. 36959/7303/18—27 December 2018). In addition, P.R., D.M., and C.D.B. acknowledge the SYSTEMIC project (Knowledge Hub on Food and Nutrition Security) with national funding provided by Mipaaf (MIMOSA project, DG DISR‐DISR 04‐Prot. Uscita N.0041532, 23 December 2019). Daniela Martini and Cristian Del Bo’ thank for the grant received from Piano di sostegno alla Ricerca-Linea 2, azione A-grant number PSR2020_DMART and PSR2020 CDELB. P.R. also acknowledge the project “One Health Action Hub: University Task Force for the resilience of territorial ecosystems,” funded by Università degli Studi di Milano (PSR 2021-GSA-Linea 6). Finally, C.D.B. and P.R. thank the Wild Blueberry Association (WBANA) of North America for their support. The authors acknowledge support from the University of Milan through the APC initiative.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Author contributions

MM, GG and CDB wrote the first draft of the manuscript. MM and SV conducted the literature search, reviewed the studies selected and prepared the tables. MM and DM performed the risk of bias analysis. PR served as the third reviewer. CDB and PR were involved in the protocol design and data analyses. PR, SG and MP critically revised the scientific content and improved the quality of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2023.2276765

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.