Modulating multi-scale structural resistant starch for precision nutrition in gut microbiota to promote host health: A review

Abstract

Background

Starch serves as the main source of energy in human diet, and it is classified into rapidly digestible (RDS), slowly digestible (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) due to the nutritional traits. RS, which is different from RDS and SDS, escapes from the digestion and absorption within upper gastrointestinal tract. However, it provides a chance for nutrition substrate supplements of gut microbiota, which probably satisfies their demand for regulating the growth and function, thereby promoting host health.

Scope and approach

This review explores the potential of RS for designing and manufacturing precision nutrition in gut microbiota. First, the interactions between RS and gut microbiota are comprehensively elucidated and we discuss how these interactions dictate the personalized nutrition of gut microbiota. Then, the effects of RS structures on the response of gut microbiota are systematically summarized. Finally, recent applications of RS in precision nutrition in gut microbiota to promote host health are introduced in detail.

Findings and conclusions

Gut microbiota adopts different strategies to interact with RS that dictate their preference and utilization on RS, including binding, enzymatic degradation, absorption, cross-feeding and a highly organized assembly. Due to these specific interactions, the changes in utilization rate, composition and metabolic pattern of gut microbiota are closely correlated with RS structures. Particularly, the positive clinical results involving in obesity and hepatic metabolic dysfunction groups emphasize the promising prospect of RS in designing and manufacturing precision nutrition in gut microbiota. However, to better establish a sustainable strategy, the interplay among RS, gut microbiota and host still needs to be adequately studied.