Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Comparison of Structural, Physicochemical, and Functional Properties of Blueberry Residue Dietary Fiber Extracted by Wet Ball Milling and Cross-Linking Methods

This study evaluated the structural, physicochemical, and functional characteristics of blueberry residue dietary fiber (DF) extracted by wet ball milling (WB) and cross-linking (C) treatments. The particle size of WB-DF showed a significant decreasing trend (p ≤ 0.05) compared to that of C-DF and blueberry residue. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that WB treatment unfolded the flaky structure of DF and caused more pores to occur. The results showed that the modifications of WB increased the release of active groups and enhanced the hydration and adsorption capacities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the highest crystallinity observed for C-DF, resulting in the increased thermal stability of C-DF. The molar ratios of monosaccharides were also influenced by different modification techniques. In addition, WB-DF showed the lowest ζ-potential and highest viscosity among all samples. Conclusively, DF extracted by WB treatment exhibited remarkable application potential in the functional food industry.

The Evolving Guidelines on Fiber Intake for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease; From Exclusion to Texture Modification

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fiber restriction has been a long-standing strategy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ostensibly to improve symptoms and reduce complications. Fiber though has a well-documented trophic effect on gut barrier defenses and the intestinal microbiome. This report discusses how texture modification may allow the safe and effective provision of much needed fiber to this patient population.

RECENT FINDINGS

The effect of dietary fiber is characterized by maintenance of gut integrity, support of the microbiome, and immune modulation. Low-fiber diets in patients with IBD result in greater dysbiosis, intestinal permeability, and mucosal inflammation. New recommendations from international IBD guidelines now promote texture modification to allow for inclusion of fiber in certain conditions of IBD. For patients flaring with acute inflammation, or those with ileostomy, intestinal stricture, or ileal pouch anastomosis, continued fiber intake with softer textures and mechanical modification should be prioritized when feasible. For patients recovering from surgery, diet advancement should include reintroduction of soluble and insoluble fibers, while those in remission should have little or no dietary restrictions. Texture modification of high fiber foods may be accomplished by a variety of strategies involved in the selection, preparation, and cooking of fruits and vegetables. Greater effort to include dietary soluble and insoluble fiber should result in clinical benefit to the IBD patient, avoiding the adverse consequences of a low-fiber diet.

Challenges of concurrent HIV infection in the course and management of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic transmural bowel inflammation with a multifactorial etiology involving genetic predisposition and immune dysregulation in response to environmental triggers. In patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an already compromised immune system further complicates the progression and management of CD, creating unique therapeutic challenges. Probiotics have recently gained attention as a potential therapeutic option for CD, especially due to their role in modulating the gut microbiota. However, their effectiveness in patients with HIV, especially in enhancing and maintaining remissions, remains underexplored. This review aimed to examine how HIV infection influences the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its impact on CD management strategies. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, and Web of Science to identify studies on patients with HIV and CD. HIV infection significantly alters the progression and management of CD due to its impact on the immune system. The immunosuppressed state of patients with HIV can complicate both the diagnosis and treatment of CD, often requiring adjustments in therapeutic approaches, necessitating a careful, tailored approach.

Dietary Pea Fibre Improves Obesity, Intestinal Barrier, Reproductive Performance, Offspring Health of Parent Mice Deprived of Dietary Fibre

As a potential high-quality protein food, peas are enriched in protein and fibre. This study investigated the judicious utilisation of pea fibre and the impact of maternal diet on offspring health in mice. Thirty-six eight-week-old, female, healthy C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups at random (n = 12 per group): deprived fibre diet (DFD), 5% pea fibre diet (LFD), and 10% pea fibre diet (HFD). After weaning, the offspring mice were fed the same diet as their parents; the respective corresponding groups were DFDO, LFDO, and HFDO. Fibre-deprived mice exhibited decreased average litter size, diminished reproductive performance, increased body weight, and intestinal barrier damage. Mice fed pea fibre showed increased litter size, improved fertility rate of parental mice, regulated body weight, and maintained a normal intestinal barrier morphology without inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that pea fibre enhanced diversity and richness of the intestinal microbiota and altered microbial composition. Notably, changes in Lactobacillus and Parabacteroides in fibre-deprived mice suggest that pea fibre might be a potentially beneficial option for neuropsychiatric diseases. In conclusion, supplementing the diet of maternal mice with pea fibre can mitigate the aforementioned issues in their offspring. This study emphasised the crucial role of maternal fibre consumption in increasing litter size, promoting gut health in offspring, and reducing susceptibility to obesity.

Ameliorative effects of insoluble dietary fiber and its bound polyphenols from adzuki bean seed coat on acute murine colitis induced by DSS: The inflammatory response, intestinal barrier and gut microbiota

The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is closely associated with dietary fiber (DF) intake. This study aims to evaluate the ameliorative effects of insoluble dietary fiber from adzuki bean seed coat (AIDF) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC in mice, both with and without bound polyphenols (BPs). We employed a model based on the "remove/backfill" of components. Compared to dephenolized dietary fiber (AIDF-DF) and AIDF-DF with replaced BPs (AIDF-BP), AIDF was found to effectively reduce the splenic index, alleviate colonic histopathological damage, lower serum levels of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6), decrease activities of LPS, DAO, MPO, and iNOS, regulate intestinal tight junction (TJ) mRNA and protein expression, and restore the integrity of the colonic epithelial cell barrier. AIDF mitigated the inflammatory response in UC by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. It increased the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota (e.g., Akkermansia, Verrucomicrobiota) while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria), thereby alleviating intestinal disturbances in DSS-induced colitis in mice. In conclusion, the presence of BPs in AIDF plays a critical role in attenuating DSS-induced UC in mice.

Fibrous foes: First report on insidious microplastic contamination in dietary fiber supplements

Regular consumption of health supplements to balance dietary intake has gained popularity worldwide. One such supplement that has gained popularity among consumers is dietary fibers. Microplastic (MPs) contamination in various food products is being reported worldwide. However, there is a paucity of understanding of the occurrence of MPs in dietary supplements. This study addresses this gap by investigating the degree of MPs contamination in dietary fiber supplements. Nine commonly consumed (powder and gummy-based) over-the-counter dietary fiber supplements in Australia were tested in this study. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of MPs fibers and fragments in all the tested products. Further categorization showed that MPs particles were of various colours, including black, blue, red, green, and white. The order of polymer abundance was Polyamide > Polydiallyl Phthalate > polyethylene polypropylene diene > Polyurethane = Polyethylene terephthalate > Polyethylene = Ethylene acrylic acid copolymer. Among the supplements, powder-based samples had higher MPs (at the adult dosage suggested by the manufacturer) than gummy-based product. The average predicted ingestion of microplastics from these supplements (all nine samples) was 5.89 ± 2.89 particles day-1. The dietary exposure for children and adults ranged from 0.1-0.48 and 0.18-4.08 particles day-1, respectively. Based on the microplastic contamination factor (MCF), among the nine samples tested, 69.81% exhibited a moderate level, while 20.76% showed a significant level of microplastic contamination. The polymer risk index (pRi) indicates products with very high and high-risk categories. The possible sources of MPs contamination in the products were studied. To our knowledge, this is the first study to record and quantify the presence of MPs in dietary fiber supplements, which is a direct source of MPs exposure to humans via., ingestion.

Mechanisms of Insulin Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Method in Intestinal Diseases

Gastrointestinal diseases are becoming a growing public health problem. One of them is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The incidence of IBD is increasing in developing countries and declining in developed countries, affecting people of all ages. Researchers have been exploring new treatment options including insulin signaling pathways in the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It seems that a better understanding of the mechanism of IGF-1, GLP-1 and TL1A on the gut microbiota and inflammation may provide new advances in future therapeutic strategies for patients with IBD, but also other intestinal diseases. This review aims to synthesize insights into the effects of GLP, IGF and anti-TL1A on inflammation and the gut microbiota, which may enable their future use in therapy for people with intestinal diseases.

The Consumption of the Fibrous Fraction of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. Does Not Preserve the Intestinal Mucosa in TNBS-Induced Rats

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. is considered a natural anti-inflammatory. In traditional medicine, it is used to reduce cholesterol levels in the treatment of obesity. Foods capable of conferring a protective and nutritious effect have been used to prevent or attenuate the clinical symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases. Ulcerative colitis is a multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease. This study investigated the impact of the consumption of the fibrous fraction (FF) and resistant starch (RS) of fruta-do-lobo in an experimental model of colitis induced with the use 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) in rats. The different colitis groups all experienced decreased weight gain, which could be linked to the inflammatory process (p = 0.603). Additionally, the experimental model led to increased oxidative stress, higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the elevated gene expression of these cytokines. Despite this, consuming the fibrous fraction of fruta-do-lobo (RS and FF) did not appear to protect the animals against the inflammatory process. Regarding the expression of TNF-α, only the group treated with the drug mesalamine had a reduced serum level of this inflammatory marker (p = 0.03). Our results showed that the diet containing RS and FF did not protect the intestinal mucosa against TNBS inflammation. New studies on the variation in the time of consumption or the supplemented dose of fruta-do-lobo fibers could help to elucidate their effects in protecting the mucosa.

Bioguided Optimization of the Nutrition-Health, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Properties of Manihot esculenta (Cassava) Flour Enriched with Cassava Leaves

Manihot esculenta (cassava) roots is a major food crop for its energy content. Leaves contain nutrients and demonstrate biological properties but remain undervalorized. In order to develop a bioguided optimization of cassava nutrition-health properties, we compared the phytochemistry and bioactive potential of cassava root flour extract (CF) with cassava flour extract enriched with 30% leaves powder (CFL). Cassava flour supplementation impact was explored on flour composition (starch, fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds), in vivo glycemic index, and bioactivity potential using macrophage cells. We assessed the impact of cassava flour supplementation on free radicals scavenging and cellular production of pro-inflammatory mediators. CFL showed higher levels of fiber, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and lower glycemic index. Significantly higher bioactive properties (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) were recorded, and inhibition of cytokines production has been demonstrated as a function of extract concentration. Overall, our results indicate that enrichment of cassava flour with leaves significantly enhances its nutrition-health and bioactive potential. This bioguided matrix recombination approach may be of interest to provide prophylactic and therapeutic dietary strategy to manage malnutrition and associated chronic non-communicable diseases characterized by low-grade inflammation and unbalanced redox status. It would also promote a more efficient use of available food resources.

Evaluation of online chat-based artificial intelligence responses about inflammatory bowel disease and diet

INTRODUCTION

The USA has the highest age-standardized prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in IBD flares and multiple strategies are centered around avoiding dietary triggers to maintain remission. Chat-based artificial intelligence (CB-AI) has shown great potential in enhancing patient education in medicine. We evaluate the role of CB-AI in patient education on dietary management of IBD.

METHODS

Six questions evaluating important concepts about the dietary management of IBD which then were posed to three CB-AI models - ChatGPT, BingChat, and YouChat three different times. All responses were graded for appropriateness and reliability by two physicians using dietary information from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. The responses were graded as reliably appropriate, reliably inappropriate, and unreliable. The expert assessment of the reviewing physicians was validated by the joint probability of agreement for two raters.

RESULTS

ChatGPT provided reliably appropriate responses to questions on dietary management of IBD more often than BingChat and YouChat. There were two questions that more than one CB-AI provided unreliable responses to. Each CB-AI provided examples within their responses, but the examples were not always appropriate. Whether the response was appropriate or not, CB-AIs mentioned consulting with an expert in the field. The inter-rater reliability was 88.9%.

DISCUSSION

CB-AIs have the potential to improve patient education and outcomes but studies evaluating their appropriateness for various health conditions are sparse. Our study showed that CB-AIs have the ability to provide appropriate answers to most questions regarding the dietary management of IBD.

Protective effect of cellulose and soluble dietary fiber from Saccharina japonica by-products on regulating inflammatory responses, gut microbiota, and SCFAs production in colitis mice

This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and cellulose enriched in Saccharina japonica by-products and to evaluate their anti-colitis effects. The water-holding capacity (WHC), swelling capacity (SC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and antioxidant properties of SDF were superior to cellulose. The ΔH of SDF and cellulose was 340.73 J/g and 134.56 J/g, and the average particle size of them was 43.858 μm and 97.350 μm. The viscosity of SDF was positively correlated with the content. SEM revealed that the microstructure of SDF was porous, whereas cellulose was folded. SDF contained seven monosaccharides such as mannuronic acid and mannose, while cellulose had a single glucose composition. It was also shown that both SDF and cellulose reversed the pathological process of colitis by inhibiting weight loss, preventing colon injury, balancing oxidative stress, and regulating the level of inflammation, with the optimal dose being 1.5 g/kg. The difference was that SDF inhibited the expression of NF-кB and TNF-α, while cellulose up-regulated the expression of PPAR-γ and IL-10. Additionally, SDF could more positively control the expression of ZO-1, whereas cellulose was superior in improving the expression of Occludin. Interestingly, SDF could restore the structure of norank_f_Muribaculaceae and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group to ameliorate ulcerative colitis (UC), whereas cellulose mainly regulated the abundance of norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroides and unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae. The production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was also found to be restored by SDF and cellulose. Overall, SDF and cellulose can be considered important dietary components for treating and preventing UC.

Dietary Fiber in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Are We Ready to Change the Paradigm?

Accumulating evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies demonstrate the benefit of dietary fibers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the majority of patients avoid or limit their consumption to manage their symptoms during the active and remission phases, although limited research supports these long-term dietary habits. Although recent evidence-based dietary guidelines highlight the importance of promoting an adequate intake of dietary fiber in IBD patients, intervention trials have not yet clearly clarified the quality and quantity of dietary fiber that should be consumed to be equally tolerated by and provide benefit for patients with IBD. This narrative review describes dietary fibers and their characteristics, analyzes the real-word studies on the impact of dietary fiber consumption in IBD in different clinical settings, and concludes with potential future directions in fiber research, focusing on the real-world needs of characterizing the consumption of fiber-rich foods and promoting their adequate intake.

Prebiotic selection influencing inflammatory bowel disease treatment outcomes: a review of the preclinical and clinical evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, with unclear aetiology but with known factors contributing to the disease, including genetics, immune responses, environmental factors and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Existing pharmacotherapies mainly target the inflammatory symptoms of disease, but recent research has highlighted the capacity for microbial-accessible carbohydrates that confer health benefits (ie, prebiotics) to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria for improved IBD management. However, since prebiotics vary in source, chemical composition and microbiota effects, there is a clear need to understand the impact of prebiotic selection on IBD treatment outcomes. This review subsequently explores and contrasts the efficacy of prebiotics from various sources (β-fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, resistant starch, pectin, β-glucans, glucomannans and arabinoxylans) in mitigating IBD symptomatology, when used as either standalone or adjuvant therapies. In preclinical animal colitis models, prebiotics have revealed type-dependent effects in positively modulating gut microbiota composition and subsequent attenuation of disease indicators and proinflammatory responses. While prebiotics have demonstrated therapeutic potential in animal models, clinical evidence for their precise efficacy remains limited, stressing the need for further investigation in human patients with IBD to facilitate their widespread clinical translation as microbiota-targeting IBD therapies.

The interplay between the microbiota, diet and T regulatory cells in the preservation of the gut barrier in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming more common in the Western world due to changes in diet-related microbial dysbiosis, genetics and lifestyle. Incidences of gut permeability can predate IBD and continued gut barrier disruptions increase the exposure of bacterial antigens to the immune system thereby perpetuating chronic inflammation. Currently, most of the approved IBD therapies target individual pro-inflammatory cytokines and pathways. However, they fail in approximately 50% of patients due to their inability to overcome the redundant pro inflammatory immune responses. There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in inflammatory conditions due to their widespread capability to dampen inflammation, promote tolerance of intestinal bacteria, facilitate healing of the mucosal barrier and ability to be engineered for more targeted therapy. Intestinal Treg populations are inherently shaped by dietary molecules and gut microbiota-derived metabolites. Thus, understanding how these molecules influence Treg-mediated preservation of the intestinal barrier will provide insights into immune tolerance-mediated mucosal homeostasis. This review comprehensively explores the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and immune system in influencing the intestinal barrier function to attenuate the progression of colitis.

Diet as an epigenetic factor in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has as a main characteristic the exacerbation of the immune system against enterocytes, compromising the individual's intestinal microbiota. This inflammatory cascade causes several nutritional deficiencies, which further compromise immunological functioning and, as a result, worsen the prognosis. This vicious cycle can be interrupted as the patient's dietary pattern meets their needs according to their clinical condition, acting directly on the inflammatory process of IBD through the interaction of food, intestinal microbiota, and epigenome. Specific nutritional intervention for IBD has a crucial role in preventing and managing disease activity. This review addresses epigenetic modifications through dietary compounds as a mechanism for modulating the intestinal microbiota of patients with IBD.

CPW partially attenuates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the gastrointestinal tract. The etiology is not fully understood, but environmental, microbial, and immunologic factors, as well as a genetic predisposition, play a role. UC is characterized by episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss, severe colonic inflammation, and ulceration. Despite the increase in the frequency of UC and the deterioration of the quality of life, there are still patients who do not respond well to available treatment options. Against this background, natural products such as polysaccharides are becoming increasingly important as they protect the intestinal mucosa, promote wound healing, relieve inflammation and pain, and restore intestinal motility. In this study, we investigated the effect of a polysaccharide isolated from the biomass of Campomanesia adamantium and Campomanesia pubescens (here referred to as CPW) in an experimental model of acute and chronic ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). CPW reversed weight loss, increased disease activity index (DAI), bloody diarrhea, and colon shortening. In addition, CPW reduced visceral mechanical hypersensitivity, controlled oxidative stress and inflammation, and protected the mucosal barrier. CPW is not absorbed in the intestine, does not inhibit cytochrome P450 proteins, and does not exhibit AMES toxicity. These results suggest that CPW attenuates DSS-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice and may be a potential alternative treatment for UC.

Comparative Evaluation of Polysaccharide Binders on the Quality Characteristics of Plant-Based Patties

Polysaccharides have been used in the production of plant-based meat analogs to replicate the texture of real meat. However, there has been no study that comprehensively compares the effects of different polysaccharides, and a limited number of polysaccharides have been evaluated. Thus, we aimed to identify the most suitable polysaccharide and concentration for plant-based patties. Plant-based patties were manufactured by blending different concentrations (0%, 1%, and 2%) of six polysaccharides with other ingredients, and the quality characteristics and sensory properties were evaluated. The L* values of plant-based patties reduced during the cooking process resembled the color change of beef patty (BP). In particular, a 2% κ-carrageenan-added patty (Car-2) exhibited the lowest L* value among the plant-based patties, measured at 44.05 (p < 0.05). Texture parameters exhibited high values by adding 2% κ-carrageenan and locust bean gum, which was close to BP. In the sensory evaluation, Car-2 showed higher scores for sensory preferences than other plant-based patties. Based on our data, incorporating 2% κ-carrageenan could offer a feasible way of crafting plant-based meat analogs due to its potential to enhance texture and flavor. Further studies are required to evaluate the suitability of polysaccharides in various types of plant-based meat analogs.

Editorial: Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) encompass ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), both of which are inflammatory ailments affecting the gastrointestinal tract [...].

Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease: Real-World Experience from a Tertiary Center

The Crohn's Disease (CD) exclusion diet (CDED) has been shown to induce remission in pediatric and adult patients with CD. In this retrospective cohort study, we describe our real-world experience with the CDED at the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unit of the Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2018-2021. CD patients with multiple clinical presentations and disease phenotypes who initiated the diet were included. Indications for treatment, medical and nutritional data were collected from dietician clinic visits and medical records. Clinical and biomarker responses were determined. The CDED was recommended to 220 CD patients. Seventy-two patients were included in the analysis for a clinically active disease (n = 48) or for remission maintenance (n = 24). Among patients with a clinically active disease, 62.5% of patients achieved clinical remission at week 6 and at week 12. A positive association between high adherence to the CDED and clinical remission at week 12 was observed (adjusted OR = 7.6, 95% CI 1.07-55.2, p = 0.043). Among patients treated for remission maintenance, remission at week 12 was maintained among 83.3% of patients. We conclude that the CDED may be a promising intervention for multiple CD presentations and indications. These findings should be further validated in larger, prospective, controlled studies.

Immunomodulatory effects of inulin and its intestinal metabolites

"Dietary fiber" (DF) refers to a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested fully. DF is not an essential nutrient, but it plays an important part in enhancing digestive capacity and maintaining intestinal health. Therefore, DF supplementation in the daily diet is highly recommended. Inulin is a soluble DF, and commonly added to foods. Recently, several studies have found that dietary supplementation of inulin can improve metabolic function and regulate intestinal immunity. Inulin is fermented in the colon by the gut microbiota and a series of metabolites is generated. Among these metabolites, short-chain fatty acids provide energy to intestinal epithelial cells and participate in regulating the differentiation of immune cells. Inulin and its intestinal metabolites contribute to host immunity. This review summarizes the effect of inulin and its metabolites on intestinal immunity, and the underlying mechanisms of inulin in preventing diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney disease, and certain cancer types.

Carbohydrates for glycemic control: functional and microbiome aspects

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glycemia goals are used as indicators of control and progression in prediabetes and diabetes. Adopting healthy eating habits is essential. It is worth considering the quality of carbohydrates to help with dietary glycemic control. The present article aims to review recent meta-analyses published in the years 2021-2022 on the effects of dietary fiber and low glycemic index/load (LGI/LGL) foods on glycemic control and how gut microbiome modulation contributes to glycemic control.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data involving more than 320 studies were reviewed. The evidence allows us to infer that LGI/LGL foods, including dietary fiber intake, are associated with reduced fasting glycemia and insulinemia, postprandial glycemic response, HOMA-IR, and glycated hemoglobin, which are more evident in soluble dietary fiber. These results can be correlated with changes in the gut microbiome. However, the mechanistic roles of microbes or metabolites implicated in these observations continue to be explored. Some controversial data highlight the need for more homogeneity between studies.

SUMMARY

The properties of dietary fiber are reasonably well established for their glycemic homeostasis effects, including the fermentation aspects. Findings of gut microbiome correlations with glucose homeostasis can be incorporated into clinical nutrition practice. Target dietary fiber interventions on microbiome modulation can offer options to improve glucose control and contribute to personalized nutritional practices.

Dietary Supplementation of Ancientino Ameliorates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Ancientino, a complex dietary fiber supplement mimicking the ancient diet, has improved chronic heart failure, kidney function, and constipation. However, its effect on ulcerative colitis is unknown. This study explores the impact of Ancientino on colitis caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and its mechanisms. Data analyses showed that Ancientino alleviated bodyweight loss, colon shortening and injury, and disease activity index (DAI) score, regulated levels of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6)), reduced intestinal permeability (d-lactate and endotoxin), fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran), and diamine oxidase (DAO), repaired colonic function (ZO-1 and occludin), and suppressed oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in vivo and in vitro. In short, this study demonstrated that Ancientino alleviates colitis and exerts an anticolitis effect by reducing inflammatory response, suppressing oxidative stress, and repairing intestinal barrier function. Thus, Ancientino may be an effective therapeutic dietary resource for ulcerative colitis.

Side Streams of Vegetable Processing and Its Bioactive Compounds Support Microbiota, Intestine Milieu, and Immune System

The industry of vegetable processing generates large amounts of by-products, which often emerge seasonally and are susceptible to microbial degradation. Inadequate management of this biomass results in the loss of valuable compounds that are found in vegetable by-products that can be recovered. Considering the possibility of using waste, scientists are trying to reuse discarded biomass and residues to create a product of higher value than those processed. The by-products from the vegetable industry can provide an added source of fibre, essential oils, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and bioactive compounds, such as phenolics. Many of these compounds have bioactive properties, such as antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity, which could be used, especially in the prevention or treatment of lifestyle diseases connected with the intestinal milieu, including dysbiosis and immune-mediated diseases resulting in inflammation. This review summarises the key aspects of the health-promoting value of by-products and their bioactive compounds derived from fresh or processed biomass and extracts. In this paper, the relevance of side streams as a source of beneficial compounds with the potential for promoting health is considered, particularly their impact on the microbiota, immune system, and gut milieu because all of these fields interact closely to affect host nutrition, prevent chronic inflammation, and provide resistance to some pathogens.

To Fiber or Not to Fiber: The Swinging Pendulum of Fiber Supplementation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Evidence-based dietary guidance around dietary fiber in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been limited owing to insufficient reproducibility in intervention trials. However, the pendulum has swung because of our increased understanding of the importance of fibers in maintaining a health-associated microbiome. Preliminary evidence suggests that dietary fiber can alter the gut microbiome, improve IBD symptoms, balance inflammation, and enhance health-related quality of life. Therefore, it is now more vital than ever to examine how fiber could be used as a therapeutic strategy to manage and prevent disease relapse. At present, there is limited knowledge about which fibers are optimal and in what form and quantity they should be consumed to benefit patients with IBD. Additionally, individual microbiomes play a strong role in determining the outcomes and necessitate a more personalized nutritional approach to implementing dietary changes, as dietary fiber may not be as benign as once thought in a dysbiotic microbiome. This review describes dietary fibers and their mechanism of action within the microbiome, details novel fiber sources, including resistant starches and polyphenols, and concludes with potential future directions in fiber research, including the move toward precision nutrition.

Hydroxytyrosol and Its Potential Uses on Intestinal and Gastrointestinal Disease

In recent years, the phytoconstituents of foods in the Mediterranean diet (MD) have been the subject of several studies for their beneficial effects on human health. The traditional MD is described as a diet heavy in vegetable oils, fruits, nuts, and fish. The most studied element of MD is undoubtedly olive oil due precisely to its beneficial properties that make it an object of interest. Several studies have attributed these protective effects to hydroxytyrosol (HT), the main polyphenol contained in olive oil and leaves. HT has been shown to be able to modulate the oxidative and inflammatory process in numerous chronic disorders, including intestinal and gastrointestinal pathologies. To date, there is no paper that summarizes the role of HT in these disorders. This review provides an overview of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant proprieties of HT against intestinal and gastrointestinal diseases.

Dietary Exposures and Interventions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Current Evidence and Emerging Concepts

Diet is intimately linked to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and has potent effects on intestinal immune homeostasis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. The therapeutic implications of diet in patients with IBD have received significant attention in recent years. In this review, we provide a contemporary and comprehensive overview of dietary exposures and interventions in IBD. Epidemiological studies suggest that ultra-processed foods, food additives, and emulsifiers are associated with a higher incidence of IBD. Exclusion and elimination diets are associated with improved symptoms in patients with IBD, but no effects on objective markers of inflammation. Specific dietary interventions (e.g., Mediterranean, specific carbohydrate, high fiber, ketogenic, anti-inflammatory diets) have been shown to reduce symptoms, improve inflammatory biomarkers, and quality of life metrics to varying degrees, but these studies are limited by study design, underpowering, heterogeneity, and confounding. To date, there is no robust evidence that any dietary intervention alone may replace standard therapies in patients with IBD. However, diet may play an adjunct role to induce or maintain clinical remission with standard IBD therapies. The results of novel dietary trials in IBD such as personalized fiber, intermittent fasting, and time-restricted diets are eagerly awaited.

Physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of soluble dietary fibers isolated from the leaves of different quinoa cultivars

Quinoa leaf is consumed as a promising value-added vegetable in the diet. Although quinoa leaf is rich in soluble dietary fibers, the knowledge regarding their chemical structures and biological activities is still limited, which astricts their application in the functional food industry. Thus, to improve the precise use and application of soluble dietary fibers (SDFs) isolated from quinoa leaves in the food industry, the physicochemical structures and bioactivities of SDFs isolated from different quinoa leaves were systematically investigated. Results indicated that quinoa leaves were rich in SDFs, ranging from 3.30 % to 4.55 % (w/w). Quinoa SDFs were mainly composed of acidic polysaccharides, such as homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I, which had the molecular weights in the range of 4.228 × 10⁴ -7.059 × 10⁴ Da. Besides, quinoa SDFs exerted potential in vitro antioxidant activities, lipid and bile acid-adsorption capacities, immunoregulatory activities, and prebiotic effects, which might be partially associated with their molecular mass, content of uronic acid, and content of bound polyphenol. Collectively, these findings are beneficial to better understanding the chemical structures and bioactivities of SDFs extracted from different quinoa leaves, which can also provide a scientific basis for developing quinoa SDFs into functional foods in the food industry.

Components of the Fiber Diet in the Prevention and Treatment of IBD-An Update

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of diseases with a chronic course, characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. One of the elements that could potentially predispose to IBD is, among others, a low-fiber diet. Dietary fiber has many functions in the human body. One of the most important is its influence on the composition of the intestinal microflora. Intestinal dysbiosis, as well as chronic inflammation that occurs, are hallmarks of IBD. Individual components of dietary fiber, such as β-glucan, pectin, starch, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, or hemicellulose, can significantly affect preventive effects in IBD by modulating the composition of the intestinal microbiota or sealing the intestinal barrier, among other things. The main objective of the review is to provide information on the effects of individual fiber components of the diet on the risk of IBD, including, among other things, altering the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

The Role of Dietary Fibers in the Management of IBD Symptoms

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, progressive, immune-mediated diseases of the intestinal tract. The main subtypes of IBDs are Chron's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The etiology is still unclear, but there are genetic, environmental and host-related factors that contribute to the development of these diseases. Recent literature has shown that dietary therapy is the cornerstone of IBD treatment in terms of management of symptoms, relapse and care of the pathology. IBD patients show that microbiota dysbiosis and diet, especially dietary fiber, can modulate its composition. These patients are more at risk of energy protein malnutrition than the general population and are deficient in micronutrients. So far, no dietary component is considered responsible for IBD and there is not a specific therapeutic diet for it. The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of dietary fibers in CD and UC and help health professionals in the nutritional management of these pathologies. Further studies are necessary to determine the appropriate amount and type of fiber to suggest in the case of IBD to ameliorate psychosocial conditions and patients' quality of life.

Role of short chain fatty acids in gut health and possible therapeutic approaches in inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are characterized by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and include Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease. These diseases are costly to health services, substantially reduce patients' quality of life, and can lead to complications such as cancer and even death. Symptoms include abdominal pain, stool bleeding, diarrhea, and weight loss. The treatment of these diseases is symptomatic, seeking disease remission. The intestine is colonized by several microorganisms, such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria, which constitute the intestinal microbiota (IM). IM bacteria promotes dietary fibers fermentation and produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that exert several beneficial effects on intestinal health. SCFAs can bind to G protein-coupled receptors, such as GPR41 and GPR43, promoting improvements in the intestinal barrier, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Thus, SCFAs could be a therapeutic tool for IBDs. However, the mechanisms involved in these beneficial effects of SCFAs remain poorly understood. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a review addressing the main aspects of IBDs, and a more detailed sight of SCFAs, focusing on the main effects on different aspects of the intestine with an emphasis on IBDs.