Role of dietary fiber in promoting immune health-An EAACI position paper

Microbial metabolism of specific dietary components, such as fiber, contributes to the sophisticated inter-kingdom dialogue in the gut that maintains a stable environment with important beneficial physiological, metabolic, and immunological effects on the host. Historical changes in fiber intake may be contributing to the increase of allergic and hypersensitivity disorders as fiber-derived metabolites are evolutionarily hardwired into the molecular circuitry governing immune cell decision-making processes. In this review, we highlight the importance of fiber as a dietary ingredient, its effects on the microbiome, its effects on immune regulation, the importance of appropriate timing of intervention to target any potential window of opportunity, and potential mechanisms for dietary fibers in the prevention and management of allergic diseases. In addition, we review the human studies examining fiber or prebiotic interventions on asthma and respiratory outcomes, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and overall risk of atopic disorders. While exposures, interventions, and outcomes were too heterogeneous for meta-analysis, there is significant potential for using fiber in targeted manipulations of the gut microbiome and its metabolic functions in promoting immune health.

Natl Univ Ireland
Rijnstate Hosp
Griffith University
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Fdn IRCCS Ca Granda Osped Maggiore Policlin
Imperial Coll London
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Univ Paris Saclay
Christine Kuhne Ctr Allergy Res & Educ
Univ Childrens Hosp Zurich
University of California, Los Angeles
Dietary Advice & Nutr Therapy
Univ Colorado
International Hellenic University
OLVG
Childrens Hosp Colorado
Universität Kapstadt
Universitatea Transsilvania din Brasov
University of Gothenburg
Medizinische Universität Wien - AKH
King´s College London
Universität Zürich
Università degli Studi di Milano
Rijnstate Hospital
University Children's Hospital Zurich
Children's Hospital Colorado
Univ Coll Los Angeles
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Hospital
IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
University of Milan
Transylvania University of Brasov
University College Cork
University of Cape Town
Imperial College London
University of Colorado System
University of London