Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing
IntroductionA balanced gut microbiota is essential for maintaining digestive, immune, and metabolic health. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, influences gut microbiota through its probiotic composition and bioactive compounds, exhibiting various health-promoting effects. However, evidence on the eff...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1587831/full |
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| author | Yejin Choi Gi Beom Keum Juyoun Kang Hyunok Doo Jinok Kwak Haram Kim Yeongjae Chae Suyoung Lee Hyunjin Yang Sheena Kim Xingmin Sun Hyeun Bum Kim Soo Jin Yoo Soo Jin Yoo |
| author_facet | Yejin Choi Gi Beom Keum Juyoun Kang Hyunok Doo Jinok Kwak Haram Kim Yeongjae Chae Suyoung Lee Hyunjin Yang Sheena Kim Xingmin Sun Hyeun Bum Kim Soo Jin Yoo Soo Jin Yoo |
| author_sort | Yejin Choi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionA balanced gut microbiota is essential for maintaining digestive, immune, and metabolic health. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, influences gut microbiota through its probiotic composition and bioactive compounds, exhibiting various health-promoting effects. However, evidence on the effects of kefir on gut microbiota, particularly in healthy populations, is still limited. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of kefir on gut microbiota composition in healthy young adults under a controlled dietary environment.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial, 28 healthy participants aged 18–30 years were assigned to one of three groups: kefir (n = 13), unfermented milk (n = 9), and yogurt (n = 6). Participants consumed 150 mL of their assigned beverage daily for 2 weeks. Stool samples were collected before and after the intervention to analyze gut microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.ResultsKefir consumption increased the relative abundance of lactate-producing bacteria, including Bifidobacterium breve, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans, Weissella koreensis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The genus Blautia also increased, with significant changes observed in Blautia luti and Blautia wexlerae. These shifts in species abundance were associated with increases in the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production pathway.DiscussionIn summary, this study highlights kefir's potential to modulate gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals, emphasizing its role in supporting gut health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cffda0aeebc9441192f7ac1dd9d300a3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-cffda0aeebc9441192f7ac1dd9d300a32025-08-20T02:33:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-05-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15878311587831Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencingYejin Choi0Gi Beom Keum1Juyoun Kang2Hyunok Doo3Jinok Kwak4Haram Kim5Yeongjae Chae6Suyoung Lee7Hyunjin Yang8Sheena Kim9Xingmin Sun10Hyeun Bum Kim11Soo Jin Yoo12Soo Jin Yoo13Departement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United StatesDepartement of Animal Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chenonan-si, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University, Seoul, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Uijeongbu, Republic of KoreaIntroductionA balanced gut microbiota is essential for maintaining digestive, immune, and metabolic health. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, influences gut microbiota through its probiotic composition and bioactive compounds, exhibiting various health-promoting effects. However, evidence on the effects of kefir on gut microbiota, particularly in healthy populations, is still limited. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of kefir on gut microbiota composition in healthy young adults under a controlled dietary environment.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial, 28 healthy participants aged 18–30 years were assigned to one of three groups: kefir (n = 13), unfermented milk (n = 9), and yogurt (n = 6). Participants consumed 150 mL of their assigned beverage daily for 2 weeks. Stool samples were collected before and after the intervention to analyze gut microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.ResultsKefir consumption increased the relative abundance of lactate-producing bacteria, including Bifidobacterium breve, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans, Weissella koreensis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The genus Blautia also increased, with significant changes observed in Blautia luti and Blautia wexlerae. These shifts in species abundance were associated with increases in the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production pathway.DiscussionIn summary, this study highlights kefir's potential to modulate gut microbiota composition in healthy individuals, emphasizing its role in supporting gut health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1587831/fullkefirshort-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)16S rRNA sequencingprobioticsgut healthhealthy young adult |
| spellingShingle | Yejin Choi Gi Beom Keum Juyoun Kang Hyunok Doo Jinok Kwak Haram Kim Yeongjae Chae Suyoung Lee Hyunjin Yang Sheena Kim Xingmin Sun Hyeun Bum Kim Soo Jin Yoo Soo Jin Yoo Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing Frontiers in Microbiology kefir short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) 16S rRNA sequencing probiotics gut health healthy young adult |
| title | Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing |
| title_full | Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing |
| title_short | Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing |
| title_sort | evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full length 16s rrna sequencing |
| topic | kefir short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) 16S rRNA sequencing probiotics gut health healthy young adult |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1587831/full |
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