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Research Project: Impact of Maternal Influence and Early Dietary Factors on Child Growth, Development, and Metabolic Health

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Title: Crop, host, and gut microbiome variation influence precision nutrition: an example of blueberries

Author
item WEAVER, CONNIE - San Diego State University
item FERRUZZI, MARIO - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)
item MAIZ, MARIA - Purdue University
item CLADIS, DENNIS - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item NAKATSU, C - Purdue University
item MCCABE, GEORGE - Purdue University
item LILA, MARY ANN - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Antioxidants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2023
Publication Date: 5/22/2023
Citation: Weaver, C.M., Ferruzzi, M.G., Maiz, M., Cladis, D., Nakatsu, C., Mccabe, G.P., Lila, M. 2023. Crop, host, and gut microbiome variation influence precision nutrition: an example of blueberries. Antioxidants. 12(5):1136. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12051136.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12051136

Interpretive Summary: This paper is a perspective overview that presents data from a series of preclinical and clinical studies highlighting the influence of plant genetics, agronomic factors as well as factors such as a person's genetics, their gut microbial communities modify a response to nutritional/health interventions. The example used to highlight this is the ongoing study of blueberries adn their relation to bone health. Overall we demonstrate from our own work that the content of bioactive phytochemical (phenolics) in blueberries varies based on genetics of the crop. Furthermore, differences in the absorption and metabolism of these beneficial compounds has been observed and was not related to the content suggesting other food matrix factors can influences bioavailability as well as potential to influence gut bacterial communities. Capturing variation in biological outcomes can help to better inform plant breeding strategies moving forward.

Technical Abstract: Epidemiological studies have shown associations between polyphenol-rich fruit intake and bone health and preclinical studies have shown blueberries improve bone health. To determine the genotype and dose of blueberries that are effective in ameliorating age-related bone loss, a multi-institutional team of investigators performed in vitro, preclinical and clinical studies on blueberry varieties that differed in anthocyanin profiles. Phenolic profiles and bioavailability of polyphenols varied across blueberry genotype. Gut microbiome profiles varied with blueberry dose. All of the sources of variation can inform blueberry breeding practices to influence precision nutrition.