Association between dairy consumption, gut microbiome composition, and lipid biomarkers in Japanese adults: A cross-sectional analysis from the Iwaki health promotion project

Abstract

Dairy foods influence gut health and overall well-being, although interactions involving lipid metabolism remain complex and not fully described. We explored associations between dairy consumption, gut microbiome, and lipid biomarkers in a community-based setting among Japanese adults. Total dairy food consumption was associated with distinct gut microbiome profiles, characterized by differing relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Megamonas, Paraprevotella, Streptococcus, Dorea, Anaerostipes, Bifidobacterium, and Holdemanella compared with not consuming dairy products. Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels showed inverse associations with Lactobacillus and direct associations with Anaerostipes, Paraprevotella, and Dorea. Paraprevotella and Dorea were directly associated with the LDL-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Dairy consumption may influence gut microbiome composition and changes in lipid biomarkers among Japanese adults. Trial registration: UMIN000040459.