Dairy Consumption and the Colonic Mucosa-Associated Gut Microbiota in Humans-A Preliminary Investigation

Authors

Ellie Chen
Nadim J Ajami
Donna L White
Yanhong Liu
Shawn Gurwara
Kristi Hoffman
David Y Graham
Hashem B El-Serag
Joseph F Petrosino
Li Jiao

Publication Date

2-2-2025

Journal

Nutrients

DOI

10.3390/nu17030567

PMID

39940425

PMCID

PMC11820694

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-2-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Male, Female, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dairy Products, Middle Aged, Colon, Intestinal Mucosa, Adult, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Bacteria, Diet, Aged, Yogurt, diet, nutrition, microbiome, milk, cheese, lactose, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia

Abstract

Background: Dairy consumption has been associated with various health outcomes that may be mediated by changes in gut microbiota.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the association between the colonic mucosa-associated gut microbiota and the self-reported intake of total dairy, milk, cheese, and yogurt. A total of 97 colonic mucosal biopsies collected from 34 polyp-free individuals were analyzed. Dairy consumption in the past year was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The 16S rRNA gene V4 region was amplified and sequenced. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) classification was performed using the UPARSE and SILVA databases. OTU diversity and relative abundance were compared between lower vs. higher dairy consumption groups. Multivariable negative binomial regression models for panel data were used to estimate the incidence rate ratio and 95% confidence interval for bacterial counts and dairy consumption. False discovery rate-adjusted p values (q value) < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results: Higher total dairy and milk consumption and lower cheese consumption were associated with higher alpha microbial diversity (adjusted p values < 0.05). Higher total dairy and milk consumption was also associated with higher relative abundance of Faecalibacterium. Higher milk consumption was associated with higher relative abundance of Akkermansia. Higher total dairy and cheese consumption was associated with lower relative abundance of Bacteroides.

Conclusions: Dairy consumption may influence host health by modulating the structure and composition of the colonic adherent gut microbiota.