Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Background: The development of functional foods with health-promoting properties is a priority in addressing chronic diseases. Studying the effect of these foods on gut microbiota provides critical insights into the interplay between microorganisms, health, and disease. Objective: This study aimed t...

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Main Authors: Beatriz Arce-López, Guadalupe X. Bazan, Susana Molina, Maria Carmen Crespo, María García-Beccaria, Silvia Cruz-Gil, Cristina M. Fernández-Díaz, Ana Ramírez de Molina, Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz, Maria Isabel Espinosa-Salinas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Food Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125001613
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author Beatriz Arce-López
Guadalupe X. Bazan
Susana Molina
Maria Carmen Crespo
María García-Beccaria
Silvia Cruz-Gil
Cristina M. Fernández-Díaz
Ana Ramírez de Molina
Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz
Maria Isabel Espinosa-Salinas
author_facet Beatriz Arce-López
Guadalupe X. Bazan
Susana Molina
Maria Carmen Crespo
María García-Beccaria
Silvia Cruz-Gil
Cristina M. Fernández-Díaz
Ana Ramírez de Molina
Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz
Maria Isabel Espinosa-Salinas
author_sort Beatriz Arce-López
collection DOAJ
description Background: The development of functional foods with health-promoting properties is a priority in addressing chronic diseases. Studying the effect of these foods on gut microbiota provides critical insights into the interplay between microorganisms, health, and disease. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fiber-enriched kombucha tea on biochemical parameters and gut microbiota composition in a healthy population. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, parallel nutritional intervention trial was conducted with 60 participants (58 completed: 42 women and 16 men; mean ± SD age: 39.79 ± 14.58 years). Participants were randomized into two groups consuming either 250 mL/day of a control beverage (unfermented tea) or the fiber-enriched kombucha tea for six weeks. Lifestyle and biochemical data were collected, and gut microbiota composition and diversity were assessed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: Significant biochemical and microbiota-related improvements were observed in the study group compared to the control. The treatment significantly affected triglyceride levels (p-value = 0.031). In particular, the study group exhibited a reduction in triglyceride levels very close to significance (baseline mean ± SEM: 69.59 ± 6.98 mg/dL; post-intervention: 62.80 ± 5.14 mg/dL; p = 0.053), while the control group did not experience a significant variation. Additionally, fiber-enriched kombucha consumption led to a notable increase in Bifidobacterium abundance, recognized for its intestinal health benefits and immunomodulatory effects. A reduction in Ruminococcus torques, linked to inflammatory bowel diseases, was also observed. Conclusions: The studied fiber-enriched kombucha drink demonstrated potential health benefits, including triglyceride modulation and positive alterations in gut microbiota composition. These findings suggest its promise as a functional beverage for improving metabolic and gut health in healthy individuals. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these benefits. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT06626997.
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spelling doaj-art-d796ccda2e464e80b25bd6701920956e2025-08-20T03:29:15ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Food Science2665-92712025-01-011110113010.1016/j.crfs.2025.101130Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)Beatriz Arce-López0Guadalupe X. Bazan1Susana Molina2Maria Carmen Crespo3María García-Beccaria4Silvia Cruz-Gil5Cristina M. Fernández-Díaz6Ana Ramírez de Molina7Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz8Maria Isabel Espinosa-Salinas9GENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainMolecular Oncology Group, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Molecular Oncology Group, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Molecular Oncology Group, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, SpainGENYAL Platform, IMDEA Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco, 8, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Corresponding author.Background: The development of functional foods with health-promoting properties is a priority in addressing chronic diseases. Studying the effect of these foods on gut microbiota provides critical insights into the interplay between microorganisms, health, and disease. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fiber-enriched kombucha tea on biochemical parameters and gut microbiota composition in a healthy population. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, parallel nutritional intervention trial was conducted with 60 participants (58 completed: 42 women and 16 men; mean ± SD age: 39.79 ± 14.58 years). Participants were randomized into two groups consuming either 250 mL/day of a control beverage (unfermented tea) or the fiber-enriched kombucha tea for six weeks. Lifestyle and biochemical data were collected, and gut microbiota composition and diversity were assessed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: Significant biochemical and microbiota-related improvements were observed in the study group compared to the control. The treatment significantly affected triglyceride levels (p-value = 0.031). In particular, the study group exhibited a reduction in triglyceride levels very close to significance (baseline mean ± SEM: 69.59 ± 6.98 mg/dL; post-intervention: 62.80 ± 5.14 mg/dL; p = 0.053), while the control group did not experience a significant variation. Additionally, fiber-enriched kombucha consumption led to a notable increase in Bifidobacterium abundance, recognized for its intestinal health benefits and immunomodulatory effects. A reduction in Ruminococcus torques, linked to inflammatory bowel diseases, was also observed. Conclusions: The studied fiber-enriched kombucha drink demonstrated potential health benefits, including triglyceride modulation and positive alterations in gut microbiota composition. These findings suggest its promise as a functional beverage for improving metabolic and gut health in healthy individuals. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these benefits. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT06626997.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125001613FiberKombucha teaGut microbiotaFermented beveragesHuman healthPrebiotics
spellingShingle Beatriz Arce-López
Guadalupe X. Bazan
Susana Molina
Maria Carmen Crespo
María García-Beccaria
Silvia Cruz-Gil
Cristina M. Fernández-Díaz
Ana Ramírez de Molina
Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz
Maria Isabel Espinosa-Salinas
Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Current Research in Food Science
Fiber
Kombucha tea
Gut microbiota
Fermented beverages
Human health
Prebiotics
title Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
title_full Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
title_fullStr Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
title_full_unstemmed Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
title_short Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)
title_sort effect of fiber modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population a randomized controlled trial rct
topic Fiber
Kombucha tea
Gut microbiota
Fermented beverages
Human health
Prebiotics
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125001613
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