AVALIAÇÃO DO CONSUMO REGULAR DE AMÊNDOA DE BARY (Dipteryx alata Vog.) NOS MARCADORES BIOQUÍMICOS, NUTRICIONAIS E NA COMPOSIÇÃO DA MICROBIOTA INTESTINAL HUMANA DE INDIVÍDUOS COM OBESIDADE

Abstract

The Cerrado has a rich variety of plant species, emphasizing fruit classes, with their own sensory characteristics and high nutritional quality. The baru, Dipteryx alata Vog., is the fruit from the baru tree, composed of pulp, mesocarp and a single seed, the baru almond. The baru almond is rich in lipids and proteins, as well as fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber and minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc. Baru almonds consumption has been associated with better weight control, reduced serum levels of glucose, VLDL, LDL, TC and TG, in addition to regulating HDL levels. These effects appear to arise from a reduction in chronic disease mediators such as oxidative damage, inflammation, visceral adiposity, and hyperglycemia. The mechanisms in which baru almond consumption confers these benefits are not fully understood. It is possible that these effects are due, in part, to the direct physiological effects of nutrients and bioactive compounds in baru almond. However, gut microbiome-mediated effects may also be involved. The oilseeds consumption alters the intestinal microbiota composition and promotes bacterial biosynthesis of beneficial bioactive compounds in healthy adults. The objective of the present study was to evaluate, after 60 days of consumption of 20 g/day of baru almond by obese individuals, the anthropometric, nutritional, biochemical and intestinal microbiota parameters. The intake of 20 g/day of baru almond for 60 days resulted in a decrease in total cholesterol levels (- 17,6 g/dL) and LDL fraction (- 33,3 g/dL), increased HDL concentrations levels (+ 17,0 g/dL) and alteration in the intestinal microbiota composition, increasing the diversity of bacteria and the number of Bacteroidetes (+ 0,96) and decreasing the percentage of Firmicutes (- 0,49), positively changing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared to the data before the regular baru almond consumption.