Effects of a (poly)phenol-rich berry mix on gas production in healthy individuals: An integrated clinical, metagenomic, and metabolomic proof-of-concept study

Dietary (poly)phenols are metabolized by intestinal microbiota, but their potential effect on intestinal gas production and gas-reated symptoms remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to correlate gas production, digestive sensations, gut microbiota composition, and metabolites in urine and feces upon (poly)phenols consumption. Twenty-three healthy subjects consumed a (poly)phenol-rich berry mix for 18 days. The (poly)phenolrich mix initially increased anal gas evacuation and induced gas-related sensations, which reverted by 18 days of dietary administration, indicating that they were metabolized and induced an adaptation of the microbiota. Upon consumption, microbiota composition adapted, exhibiting significant correlations between some taxa, bile acids, and digestive sensations, like L. pectinoschiza, positively associated with digestive well-being. Notably, the steroid-like metabolite cortolone decreased 7-fold (p < 0.001), and the bile acid 7-ketodeoxycholic acid decreased 5-fold (p < 0.001) in the urine. These preliminary data suggest that consumption of a (poly)phenolrich berry mix induces an adaptation of the gut microbiota with beneficial effects on gas-related sensations.