A REVIEW: SPECIFIC FOOD DESIGN FOR GUT MICROBIOTA

The human intestine is colonized by a million desirable microbes which play a key role in coordinating body metabolism as well as fight different pathophysiological conditions. This gut microbiota needs a definite environment by bringing modification on lifestyle and daily diet so that their growth will not hinder. A diet rich in non-digestible polysaccharide hastens the growth of microbiota by dropping the pH after conversion into short-chain fatty acids and gases. Dietary protein as a nitrogen source, also influences their growth to some extent. Furthermore, a plant originated diet and phytochemicals provide a more stable and favourable condition for these gut microbiomes. Significantly, vegans and vegetarian diet is found to be responsible for increasing the count of gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. Incorporation of probiotics and prebiotics are integral part of balanced diet that have positively impacted the growth modulation of gut microflora. Factors like diet, bioavailability of nutrients and food particle size plays a major role in providing precursors that enter the microbial conversion pathways to produce various metabolites. These microbial metabolites can be beneficial or detrimental to the host body. Besides this, it is been stated that routine exercise can aid in modulating the growth of microbiota compares to those who are unaware of this. Thus, the diverse microbial population that harbors in the gut play a fundamental role in the well-being of a human. Considerations in ingredients formulation and modifications in processing techniques of food are very important to maintain long term health status of the gut microbiota.