Short-term pectin-enriched smoothie consumption has beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of low-fiber consumers

Adequate consumption of fiber has a positive effect on health. The crossover study examined the effect of a pectin-enriched smoothie on gut microbiota and health parameters. During 3 weeks, 31 adults consumed two smoothies (11.6 or 4.8 g of fiber/day), alternating with washout periods in different order. At the end of each period, weekly food diaries, blood samples, and stool microbiota were collected. Changes in the microbiota during smoothie consumption were associated with baseline fiber intake. A greater proportion of up- (<i>Lachnospira, Colidextribacter</i>, and <i>Bacteroides</i>) or down-shifts (<i>Streptococcus, Holdemanella</i>) was observed in low-fiber (<i>n</i> = 22) compared to high-fiber consumers (<i>n</i> = 9). In both groups, the pectin-enriched smoothie reduced the number of the <i>Ruminococcus torques group</i> bacteria. Our results showed that the short-term approach is effective to estimate relationships between food components and gut bacteria.