Beetroot juice appears to affect gut microbiome, positively impacting intestinal and systemic health

 The effect of drinking red beetroot juice for two weeks on gut microbiota was the subject of a recent study that was published in the Food Chemistry journal. Polyphenols, betalains, and nitrates are all abundant in red beetroot (Beta vulgaris). The nitrate component of beets is well-known for its significant impact on gastrointestinal motility and dramatic hypotensive effects. Nitrates have been shown to alter microbial dysbiosis, maintain colon consistency, and inhibit the p53 transduction pathway in previous studies, suggesting that they may have anti-colitogenic effects. However, there has yet to be reported conclusive evidence for these effects.

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In this study, researchers looked at how healthy people's gut microbiome regulation was affected by drinking red beetroot juice.18 healthy people from the University of Leeds were recruited. These inclusion criteria were used to screen potential participants: healthy, between the ages of 20 and 50, with a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 25 kg/m2, and not frequently consuming foods or supplements related to beetroot. 

They were given instructions and the equipment they needed to complete the study off-site, including how to make the beetroot drink, monitor their blood pressure, and take stools. Red beetroot juice containing polyphenols, betacyanins, and ca was required of all participants.228.5 mg of nitrate per serving for fourteen days in a row. Before the start of the trial, participants were instructed, as stated in the food guide, to avoid foods that contained betalain for two weeks. For 14 days, participants were instructed to consume 30 milliliters of beetroot concentrate in 250 milliliters of water with their usual lunch and dinner. Participants provided stools for microbiota classification and betalain characterization at baseline (BSL), three days (D3), and fourteen days (D14) after drinking beetroot juice, respectively. The diastolic and systolic blood pressures of the participants were checked each week to see if beetroot juice might help lower blood pressure. During the intervention, participants collected feces at specific intervals at their homes. From 144 samples of feces, the microbial genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated.146 genomic DNA samples' purity and quantity were monitored. Using primers 341F and 806R, the team used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to identify specific bacterial strains in the feces.

According to the food diaries and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), the participants' consumption of polyphenol-rich beverages, polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables, and meat meals varied significantly.However, they did not alter their individual dietary habits during the intervention period.Neobetanin and (iso)betanin are two examples of the betacyanin glucosides that made up the majority of the native pigments.Simultaneously, minor amounts were identified in debased structures like decarboxylates and aglycones, which, alongside the glucosides, contained a sum of 114.5 mg betacyanins per juice segment.In the samples of feces, eleven significant betacyanin catabolites were found.The majority of the increase in total betacyanins excreted at D14 compared to D3 was accounted for by the rise in 2,17-bidecarboxy-(iso)betanin, 17-decarboxy-betanin, (iso)betanidin, and 17-decarboxy-2,3-dehydro-betanin.The amounts of particular metabolites measured on D3 and D14 did not differ significantly because of the significant inter-individual heterogeneity of betacyanins found in feces.The catabolized derivatives of betacyanins, such as 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-neobetanin, 17-decarboxy-betanidin, and 2,15,17-tridecarboxy-betanin, comprised the majority of the composition of all stool samples, accounting for more than half of the recognizable catabolites.The relative abundance distribution histogram, which displayed the ten taxonomic rankings' most abundant genera, such as Blautia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium, provided an illustration of the taxonomic composition of each sample.When compared to BSL, the Log10 abundance of species like Prevotella copri, Bacteroides ovatus, and Bacteroides plebeius was lower in D3 but slightly increased in D14.Both Bacteroides eggerthii and Rominococcus bromii levels decreased slightly during the intervention.Compared to BSL and D14, comparisons using D3 revealed a greater number of taxa with significant abundance.In comparison to the BSL cohort, the prevalence of Arcobacter, Lactococcus, Parapusillimonas, and Parvibacter was lower in the D3 group.The D14 microbiome shows an increase in UC5-1-2E3 and Solobacterium and a decrease in Christensenella when compared to the BSL group.Conclusion According to the study's findings, drinking beetroot juice caused changes in the human gut microbiome after just three days, with longer-term effects after 14 days.

Additionally, the characteristics of catabolized betacyanins were observed twice in this study, indicating a significant connection between numerous taxa and betacyanins. The gut immune system and metabolism control are expected to be further affected by these changes in the microbiota and catabolites.