Recent advances in developing butyrogenic functional foods to promote gut health

As one of the major short-chain fatty acids produced via microbial fermentation, butyrate serves as not only a preferred energy substrate but also an important signaling molecule. Butyrate concentrations in circulation, tissues, and gut luminal contents have important pathophysiological implications. The genetic capacity of butyrate biosynthesis by the gut microbiota is frequently compromised during aging and various disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders and colorectal cancer. Substantial efforts have been made to identify potent butyrogenic substrates and butyrate-hyperproducing bacteria to compensate for butyrate deficiency. Interindividual butyrogenic responses exist, which are more strongly predicted by heterogeneity in the gut microbiota composition than by ingested prebiotic substrates. In this review, we catalog major food types rich in butyrogenic substrates. We also discuss the potential of butyrogenic foods with proven properties for promoting gut health and disease management using findings from clinical trials. Potential limitations and constraints in the current research are highlighted. We advocate a precise nutrition approach in designing future clinical trials by prescreening individuals for key gut microbial signatures when recruiting study volunteers. The information provided in this review will be conducive to the development of microbiota engineering approaches for enhancing the sustained production of butyrate.

Automated summary

Butyrate, one of the major short-chain fatty acids produced by microbial fermentation, acts as both a preferred energy substrate and an important signaling molecule. However, aging and various disorders can compromise the genetic capacity of butyrate biosynthesis by the gut microbiota. Efforts have been made to identify butyrogenic substrates and butyrate-hyperproducing bacteria to address butyrate deficiency. Interindividual variations in butyrogenic responses are more strongly associated with gut microbiota composition than ingested prebiotic substrates. This review discusses major food types rich in butyrogenic substrates and explores the potential of butyrogenic foods for promoting gut health and disease management based on clinical trial findings.