Examining the impact of crops and foods biofortified with micronutrients on the gut microbiome

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) impact more than three billion individuals worldwide, particularly those in impoverished and marginalized communities, leading to adverse long-term health consequences. Biofortification, which focusses on enhancing the nutrient density of food crops, presents a promising strategy to address this challenge. Recent studies involving both model organisms and human subjects have demonstrated that, beyond remedying common dietary insufficiencies, micronutrients can modulate the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome. The microbiota, in turn, utilize these micronutrients, facilitating digestion, synthesizing essential nutrients, and modulating immune responses, thereby establishing a bidirectional relationship known as the micronutrient-microbiome axis. Numerous studies have also documented significant variations in these interactions, highlighting the complex dynamics of the micronutrient-microbiome relationship. The composition and interactions of the microbiota have been investigated using various methodologies, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, RT-PCR, metagenomics, and metabolomics. This review explores recent advancements in understanding the reciprocal relationship between micronutrient levels and the gut microbiome, emphasizing key findings that provide critical insights for the development of targeted dietary strategies aimed at alleviating MNDs and improving overall health.