title: Six-week consumption of a wild blueberry powder drink increases bifidobacteria in the human gut.
abstract: Wild blueberries are a rich source of polyphenols and other compounds that are highly metabolized by the intestinal microbiota and may, at the same time, affect the intestinal environment itself. A repeated-measure, crossover dietary intervention on human volunteers was designed to study the effect of six week consumption of a wild blueberry ( Vaccinium angustifolium ) drink, versus a placebo drink, in modulating the intestinal microbiota. Relative to total eubacteria,  Bifidobacterium  spp. significantly increased following blueberry treatment (P ≤ 0.05), while Lactobacillus acidophilus increased after both treatments (P ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed for  Bacteroides  spp.,  Prevotella  spp.,  Enterococcus  spp., and  Clostridium coccoides . Bifidobacteria, which have been largely proposed to be of benefit for the host, appeared to be selectively favored suggesting an important role for the polyphenols and fiber present in wild blueberries. Results obtained suggest that regular consumption of a wild blueberry drink can positively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, sezione Nutrizione, Via Celoria 2, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Vendrame
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Guglielmetti
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Riso
authors: Stefania
authors: S
authors: Arioli
authors: Dorothy
authors: D
authors: Klimis-Zacas
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Porrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development*; D029798:Blueberry Plants; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D057141:Food, Preserved; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D056692:Prebiotics
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D059808:Polyphenols; D056692:Prebiotics