Cited by 1,638Gut microbiota and healthNutritional Studies and DietNutrition, Genetics, and Disease

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 70 of the 73 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 1 of the 41 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome

Open access

Abstract

Objectives Habitual diet plays a major role in shaping the composition of the gut microbiota, and also determines the repertoire of microbial metabolites that can influence the host. The typical Western diet corresponds to that of an omnivore; however, the Mediterranean diet (MD), common in the Western Mediterranean culture, is to date a nutritionally recommended dietary pattern that includes high-level consumption of cereals, fruit, vegetables and legumes. To investigate the potential benefits of the MD in this cross-sectional survey, we assessed the gut microbiota and metabolome in a cohort of Italian individuals in relation to their habitual diets. Design and results We retrieved daily dietary information and assessed gut microbiota and metabolome in 153 individuals habitually following omnivore, vegetarian or vegan diets. The majority of vegan and vegetarian subjects and 30% of omnivore subjects had a high adherence to the MD. We were able to stratify individuals according to both diet type and adherence to the MD on the basis of their dietary patterns and associated microbiota. We detected significant associations between consumption of vegetable-based diets and increased levels of faecal short-chain fatty acids, Prevotella and some fibre-degrading Firmicutes, whose role in human gut warrants further research. Conversely, we detected higher urinary trimethylamine oxide levels in individuals with lower adherence to the MD. Conclusions High-level consumption of plant foodstuffs consistent with an MD is associated with beneficial microbiome-related metabolomic profiles in subjects ostensibly consuming a Western diet. Trial registration number This study was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT02118857.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309957

Cites

70 of 70 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Nothing to recompute.

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  • Probably not a substantial claim. 22
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 30
46 of 46
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little is known about the structure of the gut microbiota in individuals with defined dietary habits such as strict vegans or vegetarians compared with omnivores.

    “little is known about the structure of the gut microbiota in individuals with defined dietary habits such as strict vegans or vegetarians compared with omnivores.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Urinary trimethylamine oxide is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

    “a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”
2 of 2

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Metadata

Authors
De Filippis, F., Pellegrini, N., Vannini, L., Jeffery, I. B., La Storia, A., Laghi, L., Serrazanetti, D. I., Di Cagno, R., Ferrocino, I., Lazzi, C., Turroni, S., Cocolin, L., Brigidi, P., Neviani, E., Gobbetti, M., O'Toole, P. W., & Ercolini, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Parma (IT)
  • University of Bologna (IT)
  • University College Cork (IE)
  • University of Turin (IT)
  • University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
  • University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Corresponding author
Ercolini, Danilo
Venue
Gut
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2015-09-28
Volume
65
Issue
11
Pages
1812-1821
ISSN
  • 0017-5749 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-3288
OpenAlex
W2214388745
Cited by
1,638
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 153 · 2025: 177 · 2024: 167 · 2023: 180 · 2022: 207 · 2021: 239 · 2020: 182 · 2019: 142 · 2018: 87 · 2017: 62 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 1
FWCI
27.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Gut (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System (University of Udine) (submittedVersion)
  • Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (submittedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System University of Turin (University of Turin) (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro) (submittedVersion)
  • Open Research (University of Surrey) (submittedVersion)
  • INFM-OAR (INFN Catania) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Science Foundation Ireland
  • Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (2010WZ2NJN, PRIN 2010-2011 “, 2010-2011, (PRIN 2010))
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
Keywords
Mediterranean diet, dietary adherence, gut microbiota, metabolome, vegetarian diet, vegan diet, omnivorous diet, short-chain fatty acids, Prevotella, trimethylamine N-oxide, plant-based diet, Western diet, fecal metabolites, urinary metabolites
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dietary Fiber, Fatty Acids, Feces, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Male, Methylamines, Patient Compliance, Statistics as Topic, Vegetables, Prevotella, Diet, Mediterranean, Gastrointestinal Tract, Healthy Volunteers

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