Prebiotic Effects of a Polyphenol-rich Food Product

Prebiotic Effects of a Polyphenol-rich Food Product

The specific aim for this project will be to investigate a cranberry beverage as a means to restore balance in terms of the relative proportions of the various bacteria that inhabit the large intestine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI 27-35 kg/m2
• High waist circumference (men >102 cm and women >88 cm)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cigarette smoking
• Regular intensive exercise
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or other gastrointestinal complaint
• Diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, or other chronic disease known to alter the gut microbiota
• Use of medications that affect inflammation or the gut microbiota
• Use of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, vitamins, or other dietary supplements known to affect the gut microbiota
• Aversion to cranberries
• Food allergies
• Lactose intolerance
• Vegetarianism