Breakthroughs in the Health Effects of Plant Food Bioactives: A Perspective on Microbiomics, Nutri(epi)genomics, and Metabolomics

J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Oct 17;66(41):10686-10692. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03385. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Abstract

Plant bioactive compounds consumed as part of our diet are able to influence human health. They include secondary metabolites like (poly)phenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, alkaloids, and terpenes. Although much knowledge has been gained, there is still need for studies unravelling the effects of plant bioactives on cardiometabolic health at the individual level, using cutting-edge high-resolution and data-rich holistic approaches. The aim of this Perspective is to review the prospects of microbiomics, nutrigenomics and nutriepigenomics, and metabolomics to assess the response to plant bioactive consumption while considering interindividual variability. Insights for future research in the field toward personalized nutrition are discussed.

Keywords: gut microbiota; interindividual variability; metabolome; personalized nutrition; phytochemicals.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics
  • Nutritive Value
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism
  • Plants / chemistry*
  • Plants / genetics
  • Plants / metabolism*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts