Strawberry dietary intervention influences diversity and increases abundances of SCFA-producing bacteria in healthy elderly people

Abstract

Aging is often associated with changes in the gut microbiome, including a decline in beneficial bacteria and an increase in potentially pathogenic species. Addressing these changes through lifestyle interventions is of significant interest. Our study demonstrates that a 10-week dietary intervention with strawberries can beneficially modulate gut microbial composition and diversity in healthy elderly individuals. Notably, the group consuming the highest amount of strawberries (without capers in olive oil) initially had higher abundances of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Here, the intervention led to increased abundances of the beneficial genera Faecalibacterium and Prevotella , which are linked to health benefits including reduced inflammation and improved lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that strawberry consumption can positively influence gut microbial composition, thereby contributing to overall health and disease prevention in older adults.