Fiber is composed of oligosaccharides, which resist digestion in the small intestine and are transported to the colon where they provide energy for gut bacteria 6. High fiber intake is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer 5. In addition, fruit and vegetable are rich in fermentable fiber with prebiotic activity. There the colonic bacteria metabolize polyphenols to smaller compounds, which in turn alter the abundance of bacteria in the intestinal microbiome. The absorption of polyphenols in the small intestine is limited and considerable amounts of these polyphenols can be found in the colon. Polyphenols exert a variety of physiological effects in vitro including antioxidative, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities 4. They are the most ubiquitous source of phenolic compounds 3. The consumption of vegetable/fruit juice during the abstinence from food provides essential nutrients and improves compliance.įruit and vegetables are rich sources of several biologically active components that contribute to general health and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease 2. However, well designed controlled research studies with clinical outcome measures providing scientific evidence of potential health benefits of juice only diets are limited 1. ![]() Vegetable/fruit juice-based diets have been very popular recently. In summary a 3-day juice-based diet altered the intestinal microbiota associated with weight loss, increase in the vasodilator NO, and decrease in lipid oxidation. General well-being score was increased at the end of the study. On day 4 plasma and urine nitric oxide was increased by 244 ± 89% and 450 ± 360%, respectively, and urinary lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde was decreased by 32 ± 21% compared to baseline. On day 4 the proportion of the phylum Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in stool was significantly decreased and Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria was increased compared to baseline and was partially reversed on day 17. On day 4 we observed a significant decrease in weight and body mass index (p = 2.0E −05), which was maintained until day 17 (p = 3.0E −04). Twenty healthy adults consumed only vegetable/fruit juices for 3 days followed by 14 days of customary diet. ![]() It was our hypothesis that changes in the intestinal microbiota induced by a juice-based diet play an important role in their health benefits. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence of their health benefits. ![]() Vegetable/fruit juices provide polyphenols, oligosaccharides, fiber and nitrate (beet juice), which may induce a prebiotic-like effect. The gut microbiota is an important contributor to human health.
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