16S rRNA gene from human gut microbiota treated with fibers
This study shows that dietary fibers of high specificity, but not low specificity ones, produce similar responses in individuals harboring distinct gut microbiota. Moreover, high specificity dietary fibers promote more intense changes in microbial community structure than low specificity ones. The study shows for the first time that fiber specificity is related to the similarity and intensity of fiber response in distinct human gut microbial communities. This work provides a path to promote targeted and predictable microbial shifts in gut bacteria with distinct community backgrounds through dietary fibers.