Preferred fruit and vegetable consumption and colonic microbiota in young residents of Arkhangelsk

Background: The composition of colonic microbiota is influenced by environmental factors, including dietary habits. Several studies on dietary habits and nutrition of Arctic residents have been published, but the information on the associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and gut microbiota is scarce. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preferred fruit and vegetable consumption on colonic microbiota in young residents of Arkhangelsk, using a sample of students and staff from a medical university. Material and methods: The study included 90 healthy volunteers (23 men and 67 women) from Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk aged 18–45 years with a normal body mass index. Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected for molecular genetic analysis of colonic microbiota. Associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and concentrations of 33 microbiota indicators were examined using multivariable median regression, with adjustments made for age, gender, and place of origin. Results: Vegetables and fruits were consumed daily by 43.33% and 15.56% of respondents, respectively. The most frequently consumed vegetables were tomatoes (77.78%) and cucumbers (80.0%), while only 25.00% consumed potatoes and carrots. Among fruits, apples were consumed most frequently (74.44%), followed by bananas (57.78%) and citrus fruits (41.11%). Significant associations were found between Methanobrevibacter smithii and tomatoes ( p =0.008) and carrots ( p =0.006), between Prevotella spp. and cucumbers ( p =0.032), Blautia spp. and carrots ( p =0.002) and bananas ( p =0.020). Additionally, association was found for Acinetobacter spp. with tomatoes ( p =0.036), potatoes ( p =0.028) and citrus fruits ( p =0.019), Bifidobacterium spp. with potatoes ( p =0.039) and citrus fruits ( p =0.002). Direct association was found between Bacteroides spp. and cucumbers ( p =0.023). Conclusion: Our findings on the associations between selected fruits and vegetables and microbial concentrations may contribute to the development of personalized and balanced diet to enrich microbiota biodiversity and improve the quality of life of the residents of the North.