(P19-021-25) Fermented Food Consumption Is Associated With Improvements in Bloating, Hunger, Energy and Mood in the General Population

Objectives: Fermented foods consumption is associated with improved gut microbiome composition and immune function. However, it is not known if increasing fermented food intake improves levels of bloating, mood, hunger, or energy in the general population in a free-living setting. The Fermented Foods study investigated the effects of increasing fermented food intake on these self-reported outcomes.

Methods: A remote, two phase study was conducted in 6,493 participants (18 - 80 years [mean 62 years]) enrolled in the ZOE Health Study who consumed less than 8 portions of fermented foods per day (NCT06082778). In the first phase (7 days), participants consumed their habitual diet. Then, in a two-week modification phase, participants increased intake of a range of fermented foods by three portions per day. Using the ZOE Health Study app, participants logged daily intakes of fermented foods and feelings of hunger, energy, mood and bloating on a visual analogue scale of 1 - 10.

Results: 5,472 participants increased fermented food intake at endpoint (day 21) compared to baseline (day 1). Of these participants, 47.1% reported significant improvements in mood (difference: 0.49, 95%CI [0.45 - 0.53]), 55.8% energy (difference: 0.86, 95%CI [0.82 - 0.90]), 51.9% hunger (difference: -0.74, 95% CI [-0.79 - -0.69]) and 42.1% bloating (difference: -0.48, 95% CI [-0.53 - -0.43]) ratings (all P < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test) after 21 days. ANOVA subgroup analysis showed that participants living with obesity (BMI > 30) who increased their fermented food intake, reported relatively greater improvements in hunger (P = 0.015) energy (P < 0.001), and bloating (P < 0.001) when compared to those within the normal BMI category. The main side effect of bloating were reported by 24.9% of the total group.

Conclusions: This study suggests that an increased intake of daily fermented foods can have a positive and rapid impact on bloating, mood, energy and hunger within the general population, particularly those with obesity.

Funding Sources: ZOE Ltd.