A Whole-Grain-Rich Diet Reduces Urinary Excretion of Markers of Protein Catabolism and Gut Microbiota Metabolism in Healthy Men after One Week
Journal article, 2013

Epidemiological studies consistently find that diets rich in whole-grain (WG) cereals lead to decreased risk of disease compared with refined grain (RG)-based diets. Aside from a greater amount of fiber and micronutrients, possible mechanisms for why WGs may be beneficial for health remain speculative. In an exploratory, randomized, researcher-blinded, crossover trial, we measured metabolic profile differences between healthy participants eating a diet based on WGs compared with a diet based on RGs. Seventeen healthy adult participants (11 female, 6 male) consumed a controlled diet based on either WG-rich or RG-rich foods for 2 wk, followed by the other diet after a 5-wk washout period. Both diets were the same except for the use of WG (150 g/d) or FIG foods. The metabolic profiles of plasma, urine, and fecal water were measured using H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (plasma only). After 1 wk of intervention, the WG diet led to decreases in urinary excretion of metabolites related to protein catabolism (urea, methylguanadine), lipid (carnitine and acylcarnitines) and gut microbial (4-hydroxyphenylacetate, trimethylacetate, dimethylacetate) metabolism in men compared with the same time point during the FIG intervention. There were no differences between the interventions after 2 wk. Urinary urea, carnitine, and acylcarnitine were lower at wk 1 of the WG intervention relative to the FIG intervention in all participants. Fecal water short-chain fatty acids acetate and butyrate were relatively greater after the WG diet compared to the RG diet. Although based on a small population and for a short time period, these observations suggest that a WG diet may affect protein metabolism.

Author

Alastair Ross

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Life Sciences

E. Pere-Trepat

Nestle S.A.

I. Montoliu

Nestle S.A.

F. P. J. Martin

Nestle S.A.

S. Collino

Nestle S.A.

S. Moco

Nestle S.A.

J. P. Godin

Nestle S.A.

M. Cleroux

Nestle S.A.

P. A. Guy

Nestle S.A.

I. Breton

Nestle S.A.

R. Bibiloni

Nestle S.A.

A. Thorimbert

Nestle S.A.

I. Tavazzi

Nestle S.A.

L. Tornier

Nestle S.A.

A. Bebuis

Nestle S.A.

S. J. Bruce

Nestle S.A.

M. Beaumont

Nestle S.A.

L. B. Fay

Nestle S.A.

S. Kochhar

Nestle S.A.

Journal of Nutrition

0022-3166 (ISSN) 1541-6100 (eISSN)

Vol. 143 6 766-773

Subject Categories

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Food Engineering

Roots

Basic sciences

Areas of Advance

Life Science Engineering (2010-2018)

DOI

10.3945/jn.112.172197

More information

Created

10/7/2017