Over the past few decades strong evidence has supported the role of diet in health through modulation of the gut microbiota. In addition to nutritional factors and some dietary components, such as polyphenols and/or fibers, which have already been found to be related to the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, the westernization and modernization of diets has led to a change in the type of compounds consumed entering the gastrointestinal tract. Among these, the identification of dietary xenobiotics and the pathways through which they may interact with the intestinal microbiota is of interest. In turn, the effect that prebiotics or probiotics may have on these components could be useful for the design of new functional foods.
Further scientific evidence is needed to address the lack of information on the impact of non-nutritional food components on the composition of the microbiota and the intestinal environment. Some of the issues that may be of particular relevance to this topic are as follows.
- Modulating microbiota action by non-nutritional food constituents. In vitro or in vivo studies suggest mechanisms of action of food chemicals, contaminants, pesticides, or potential carcinogens on the composition and activity of the microbiota.
- Intestinal microbial metabolism of food additives. Gut microbiota modulating effect of xenobiotic compounds that may reach the intestinal tract, with special emphasis on their detoxifying effect.
- Ingestion of nitrates, nitrites, glucosinolates and other compounds with possible microbial metabolism. To define population exposure thresholds to these compounds with the aim of identifying safe intake levels or the tolerable limit to promote dysbiosis states.
- Prebiotics and probiotics as potential antagonist of potential dietary carcinogens.
The aim of this research topic is to improve the existing knowledge in relation to the intake of xenobiotics in the population and their impact on different biomarkers of health status. Special interest will be given to scientific contributions that propose mechanisms of action of these compounds on health mediated through the intestinal microbiota as well as those that develop strategies to prevent their possible negative effects on gastrointestinal health. Also, revisions providing the current state of the art and proposing new perspectives for the future are welcome.
Over the past few decades strong evidence has supported the role of diet in health through modulation of the gut microbiota. In addition to nutritional factors and some dietary components, such as polyphenols and/or fibers, which have already been found to be related to the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, the westernization and modernization of diets has led to a change in the type of compounds consumed entering the gastrointestinal tract. Among these, the identification of dietary xenobiotics and the pathways through which they may interact with the intestinal microbiota is of interest. In turn, the effect that prebiotics or probiotics may have on these components could be useful for the design of new functional foods.
Further scientific evidence is needed to address the lack of information on the impact of non-nutritional food components on the composition of the microbiota and the intestinal environment. Some of the issues that may be of particular relevance to this topic are as follows.
- Modulating microbiota action by non-nutritional food constituents. In vitro or in vivo studies suggest mechanisms of action of food chemicals, contaminants, pesticides, or potential carcinogens on the composition and activity of the microbiota.
- Intestinal microbial metabolism of food additives. Gut microbiota modulating effect of xenobiotic compounds that may reach the intestinal tract, with special emphasis on their detoxifying effect.
- Ingestion of nitrates, nitrites, glucosinolates and other compounds with possible microbial metabolism. To define population exposure thresholds to these compounds with the aim of identifying safe intake levels or the tolerable limit to promote dysbiosis states.
- Prebiotics and probiotics as potential antagonist of potential dietary carcinogens.
The aim of this research topic is to improve the existing knowledge in relation to the intake of xenobiotics in the population and their impact on different biomarkers of health status. Special interest will be given to scientific contributions that propose mechanisms of action of these compounds on health mediated through the intestinal microbiota as well as those that develop strategies to prevent their possible negative effects on gastrointestinal health. Also, revisions providing the current state of the art and proposing new perspectives for the future are welcome.