A 4-week Mediterranean type diet intervention ameliorated the immunological profile of vulnerable individuals.

Introduction: Due to the increasing cost of nutrient-dense foods, food-insecure populations present a limited access to these products and a greater risk of obesity, which has been associated with alterations of microbiota composition and a pro-inflammatory status. Objective: Determine the impact of a food and nutrition education dietary intervention on the inflammatory profile of materially vulnerable individuals and elucidate the modulations of the gut microbiota. Methods: Seventeen adults regularly receiving food assistance from Red Cross were recruited (Ethical committee: CEImPA2021.307). A one-month dietary intervention was conducted consisting of the provision to each volunteer of 1-hour educational training on MD recommendations based on the PREDIMED criteria along with educational materials (a monthly meal plan, a shopping list and recipes) and financial support for fresh foods purchasing. Nutritional assessment, blood and stool analysis were performed at baseline and after intervention. Dietary intake was recorded through 3 non-consecutive 24-hour food diaries and analysed using food composition tables (CESNID and USDA). Plasma cytokines were assessed with the Human Essential Immune Response Panel. Faecal microbiota and short chain fatty acids were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography. Results: After the intervention, a higher concentration of the interleukin (IL)-10 (by 12%) was detected, along with lower levels of IL-2 and IL-12 (by 34 and 35%). In addition, the intake of vitamin D was increased after the intervention and displayed direct associations with the relative abundance of Roseburia and Ruminoccocus torques group, which were also increased at the end of the study. Finally, the faecal levels of caproic acid were reduced (by 22%) at the end of this work and positive associations were found between its excretion levels and IL-2 and IL-12. Conclusion: One-month intervention based on MD guidelines in vulnerable individuals ameliorated the pro-inflammatory status in parallel to modulations of the gut microbiota.