Recent research from the University of Nottingham highlights a new aspect of vitamin A’s benefits: its impact on gut microbiome diversity. The study found that carotenoids, a group of vitamin A-related compounds, positively influence the variety of microbial species in the gut, contributing to better overall health.
Analyzing data from 1,053 participants in the TwinsUK cohort and 327 women from the ZOE PREDICT-1 study, researchers examined the correlation between gut microbiome composition and six vitamin A-related metabolites. These included retinol, 4-oxoretinoic acid, and four carotenoids such as beta-cryptoxanthin. The results showed that carotenoids were linked to higher microbiome alpha diversity—a measure of microbial variety—and were associated with beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Coprococcus eutactus. Retinol, however, did not correlate with specific microbial species.
The study used random forest models to predict levels of carotenoids and 4-oxoretinoic acid based on microbiome composition, achieving moderate accuracy. The model for retinol was less effective. Additionally, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which reflects adherence to dietary guidelines, was strongly associated with microbiome diversity and carotenoids, but not retinoids.
A key finding was that carotenoids mediate 18 to 25% of the effect of a healthy diet on gut microbiome diversity. This underscores their role in enhancing gut health. Previous research has linked vitamin A and D deficiencies to less diverse and dysbiotic microbiomes, which increase susceptibility to infections and gut issues. Vitamin A also supports epithelial integrity and immune function, highlighting its importance in preventing inflammation and infection.
This study reinforces the intricate link between diet, gut microbiome diversity, and overall health. It suggests that diets rich in carotenoids can improve microbiome diversity and contribute to better health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of including carotenoid-rich foods in one’s diet.