The Impact of Microbial Composition on Postprandial Glycaemia and Lipidaemia: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Postprandial hyperglycaemia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies highlight the role of the gut microbiome in influencing postprandial glycaemic (PPG) and lipidaemic (PPL) responses. The authors of this review sought to address the question: “To what extent does individual gut microbiome diversity and composition contribute to PPG and PPL responses?”. CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from January 2010 to June 2020. Following screening, 22 studies were eligible to be included in the current review. All trials reported analysis of gut microbiome diversity and composition and PPG and/or PPL. Results were reported according to the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis’ (PRISMA) statement. Individual microbiota structure was found to play a key role in determining postprandial metabolic responses in adults and is attributed to a complex interplay of diet, microbiota composition, and metagenomic activity, which may be predicted by metagenomic analysis. Alterations of gut microbiota, namely relative abundance of bacterial phylum Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, along with Enterobacteriaceae, were associated with individual variation in postprandial glycaemic response in adults. The findings of the current review present new evidence to support a personalised approach to nutritional recommendations and guidance for optimal health, management, and treatment of common metabolic disorders. In conclusion, personalised nutrition approaches based on individual microbial composition may improve postprandial regulation of glucose and lipids, providing a potential strategy to ameliorate cardiometabolic health outcomes.