Fermented foods, their microbiome and its potential in boosting human health

Vincenzo Valentino, Raffaele Magliulo, Dominic Farsi, Paul D Cotter, Orla O'Sullivan, Danilo Ercolini, Francesca De Filippis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fermented foods (FFs) are part of the cultural heritage of several populations, and their production dates back 8000 years. Over the last ~150 years, the microbial consortia of many of the most widespread FFs have been characterised, leading in some instances to the standardisation of their production. Nevertheless, limited knowledge exists about the microbial communities of local and traditional FFs and their possible effects on human health. Recent findings suggest they might be a valuable source of novel probiotic strains, enriched in nutrients and highly sustainable for the environment. Despite the increasing number of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, it still remains unclear whether and how regular FF consumption is linked with health outcomes and enrichment of the gut microbiome in health-associated species. This review aims to sum up the knowledge about traditional FFs and their associated microbiomes, outlining the role of fermentation with respect to boosting nutritional profiles and attempting to establish a link between FF consumption and health-beneficial outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere14428
Pages (from-to)e14428
JournalMicrobial biotechnology
Volume17
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Feb 2024

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Microbiota
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Probiotics
  • Fermented Foods
  • Fermentation

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