MID-TERM INTAKE OF POMEGRANATE JUICE INDUCE POSITIVE CHANGES IN FECAL METABOLIC PROFILE

Dietary phenolic compounds which occur ubiquitously in plant kingdom presented an alternative proposal to chemical drugs as they possess a good safety record as well as their consumption is linked to desirable healthy dietary patterns. Observe the effect of a sustained intake of pomegranate juice during 28 days in healthy adults to elucidate changes in the metabolic and microbial profiles in feces was investigated. 12 healthy adults were recruited to participate in the study consisted in the intake of 200 mL/day of pomegranate juice during 28 days. The purpose was to considerate possible beneficial effects due to the addition of PJ to the habitual diet. Feces after and followed the intake of PJ were analyzed to determinate metabolic (phenolic metabolites, SCFA, sterols, bile acids and tocopherol) and microbial profile. The PJ intervention modifies the fecal metabolic profile of participants. Urolithin A, 3-phenylpropionic acid, catechol, hydroxytyrosol and an unknown metabolite have significant increased followed the PJ intervention. Although no statistical differences were found in SCFA, bile acids and a-tocopherol, a market trend to positive changes was observed. With regard to sterols, coprostanol has shown significant decrease after PJ intervention. However, the nutritional intervention did not introduce significant changes in fecal microbiota composition. The Inclusion of PJ in the normal diet of healthy adults did not alter significantly the gut homeostasis but promote advantageous changes related to the prevention of colon cancer.