Prebiotic potencial of juçara berry on changes in gut bacteria and acetate of individuals with obesity

Whole plant foods can be fermentable by SCFA-producing bacteria and positively influence host adipose tissue development and obesity related-metabolic disorders, conferring a prebiotic role. Considering the jucara berry composition, rich in fiber and polyphenols, we hypothesized the probable prebiotic role of jucara in individuals with obesity. It was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 35 volunteers with obesity I and II of both sexes aged from 31 to 59 years, divided into jucara group (5 g lyophilized jucara) or placebo group (5 g of maltodextrin) for 6 weeks. Before and after supplementation, food intake and blood and stool samples were collected to evaluate serum LPS, SCFA, and microbial bacteria. Significant increase in fecal acetate (g = 0.809; p = 0.038) and in relative abundance of A. muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp. and C. coccoides were observed in response to jucara supplementation (Δ% = 239.6%, 182.6%, and 214%, respectively), with a significant mediator role of Bifidobacterium spp. in high amounts of fecal acetate (z = 2.925; p = 0.003). To certify the prebiotic role of jucara, the averages were adjusted for total fiber intake; and there was no effect of the fiber intake on the SCFA nor on the intestinal bacteria. Jucara berry may haveprebiotic function, with emphasis on the bifidogenic effect, leading to increased excretion of acetate.