Journals / Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2

EFFECTS OF FERMENTED PRODUCTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND GASTROINTESTINAL MICROBIOTA

Fermente Ürünlerin İnsan Sağlığı ve Bağırsak Mikrobiyotası Üzerine Etkileri

Osman Erkmen(OKAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-9113-9638
Pages
148–156
Publication Date
2026-05-31
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Since regular consumption of fermented products can affect the intestinal microbiota in the short and long term, they should be considered an essential part of the human diet.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The human microbiota is an ecosystem that contains thousands of symbiotic microorganisms.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Fermented products have been a part of the human diet for about 10 thousand years and have reached their highest diversity today.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Since regular consumption of fermented products can affect the intestinal microbiota in the short and long term, they should be considered an essential part of the human diet.
🔬Design:Derleme
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Fermente ürün · Mikrobiyota · Beslenme

Abstract

The human microbiota is an ecosystem that contains thousands of symbiotic microorganisms. Fermented products have been a part of the human diet for about 10 thousand years and have reached their highest diversity today. Each fermented product includes a unique microbial population. In this study, the effects of fermented products on human health and microbiota were evaluated by researching information from the literature. Different microbial products are generated by fermentation. In addition to providing nutrients supporting intestinal microbiota, fermented products can provide characteristic microorganisms for temporary or long-term colonization in the intestines. The microbiota of fermented products benefits human health with the metabolites they produce by metabolizing nutrients (such as exopolysaccharides, short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, and peptides). Fermented products can serve as a means of safely transporting beneficial microorganisms to the intestines. The microbiota of fermented products can positively change brain function and behavior by communicating with the central nervous system through nutrients provided by both the products and the intestines, as well as changing the structural properties of the raw material. Fermented products can affect cognitive function through neurochemical modulation and serotonin conversion. A Western-style diet, low in fiber and high in animal fat and protein, disrupts the intestinal microbiota and causes inflammation. Fermented products consumed in the human diet provide therapeutic benefits. Since regular consumption of fermented products can affect the intestinal microbiota in the short and long term, they should be considered an essential part of the human diet.

Özet

İnsan mikrobiyotası, binlerce simbiyotik mikroorganizmaları içeren bir ekosistemdir. Fermente ürünler, yaklaşık 10 bin yıldır insan beslenmesinin bir parçası olmuş ve günümüzde en yüksek çeşitliliğe ulaşmıştır. Her fermente ürün, özgün mikroorganizma popülasyonunu barındırır. Fermantasyonda, mikrobiyal biyoaktif peptitler ve diğer metabolitler üretilir. Fermente ürünler, bağırsak mikrobiyotasını destekleyen besinler sağlanması yanında, sağladıkları mikroorganizmalar bağırsakta geçici veya uzun süreli kolonize olabilir. Fermente ürün mikrobiyotası, besinleri metabolize ederek ürettikleri metabolitlerle (ekzopolisakkarit, kıza zincirli yağ asitleri, vitaminler, polifenoller, peptidler gibi) insan sağlığına faydalar sağlar. Fermente ürünler, faydalı mikroorganizmaları bağırsaklara güvenli bir şekilde taşıma aracı olarak işlev görebilir. Fermente ürünlerin mikrobiyotası, hammaddenin yapısal özelliklerini değiştirmenin yanı sıra gerek ürünlerde gerekse bağırsaklarda sağladığı besinlerle merkezi sinir sistemi ile iletişim sağlayarak, beyin işlevi ve davranışlarını olumlu yönde değiştirebilir. Fermente ürünler, nörokimyasal modülasyon ve serotonin dönüşümü ile bilişsel işlevi etkileyebilir. Lif oranı düşük, hayvansal yağ ve protein miktarı yüksek olan batı tarzı diyetle beslenme, bağırsak mikrobiyotasının bozulmasına ve enflamasyona neden olur. İnsan diyetinin bir parçası olarak tüketilecek fermente ürünler, terapötik faydalar sağlar. Fermente ürünlerin düzenli tüketimi bağırsak mikrobiyotasını hem kısa hem de uzun vadede etkileyebileceğinden, insan diyetinin önemli bir unsuru olarak görülmesi gerekir. Bu araştırmada fermente ürünlerin insan sağlığı ve mikrobiyota üzerine etkileri literatür bilgileri araştırılarak değerlendirmesi yapılmıştır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Erkmen, O. (2026). EFFECTS OF FERMENTED PRODUCTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND GASTROINTESTINAL MICROBIOTA. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 2, 148–156. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1596422

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (54)

  1. Erkmen O. Gıda Mikrobiyolojisi. 6. Baskı. Ankara: Efil Yayınevi; 2021.
  2. Erkmen O, Bozoglu TF. Food Microbiology Principles into Practice, Volume 2: Microorganisms in Food Preservation and Processing. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2016:228-252.
  3. Miko E, Csaszar A, Bodis J, Kovacs K. The maternal-fetal gut microbiota axis: Physiological changes, dietary influence, and modulation possibilities. Life (Basel). 2022;12(3):424. doi:10.3390/life12030424
  4. Tian M, Li Q, Zheng T, Yang S, Chen F, Guan W, Zhang S. Maternal microbe-specific modulation of the offspring microbiome and development during pregnancy and lactation. Gut Microbes. 2023;15(1):2206505. doi:10.1080/19490976.2023.2206505
  5. Sampson TR, Mazmanian SK. Control of brain development, function, and behavior by the microbiome. Cell Host Microbiol. 2015;17(5):565-576. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2015.04.011.
  6. Rackaityte E, Lynch SV. The human microbiome in the 21st century. Nature Commun. 2020;11:e5256. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-18983-8
  7. Robertson RC, Manges AR, Finlay BB, Prendergast AJ. The human microbiome and child growth- first 1000 days and beyond. Trends Microb. 2019;27(2):131-147. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2018.09.008
  8. Erkmen O, Erten H, Sağlam H. Fermente Ürünler Teknolojisi ve Mikrobiyolojisi. Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık; 2020.
  9. Koponen K, Salosensaari A, Ruuskanen MO, Havulinna AS, Männistö S, Jousilahti P, et al. Associations of healthy food choices with gut microbiota profiles. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(2):605-616. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqab077
  10. Leeuwendaal NK, Stanton C, O’Toole PW, Beresford TP. Fermented foods, health and the gut microbiome. Nutrients. 2022;14:1527. doi:10.3390/nu14071527
  11. Skowron K, Budzynska A, Grudlewska-Buda K, Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Andrzejewska M, Wałecka-Zacharska E, Gospodarek-Komkowska E. Two faces of fermented foods- the benefits and threats of its consumption. Front Microbiol. 2022;13:845166. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.845166
  12. Angelin J, Kavitha M. Exopolysaccharides from probiotic bacteria and their health potential. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020;162:853-865. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.190
  13. Rodríguez-Figueroa JC, González-Córdova AF, Gacía HA, Vallejo-Córdoba B. Hypotensive and heart rate-lowering effects in rats receiving milk fermented by specific Lactococcus lactis strains. British J Nutr. 2013;109;827-833. doi:10.1017/S0007114512002115
  14. Patel P, Butani K, Kumar A, Singh S, Prajapati BG. Effects of fermented food consumption on non-communicable diseases. Foods. 2023;12:687. doi:10.3390/foods12040687
  15. Kim B, Hong VM, Yang J, Hyun H, Im JJ, Yoon JHS, Kim JE. A review of fermented foods with beneficial effects on brain and cognitive function. Prev Nut Food Sci. 2016;21(4):297-309. doi:10.3746/pnf.2016.21.4.297
  16. Borre YE, Moloney RD, Clarke G, Dinan TG, Cryan FG. The impact of microbiota on brain and behavior: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Lyte M, Cryan JF, ed. Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease. New York: Springer; 2014:373-403. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-0897-4_17
  17. Vyas U, Ranganathan N. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: gut and beyond. Gastroent Res Prac. 2012;2012:872716. doi:10.1155/2012/872716
  18. Ley RE, Bäckhed F, Turnbaugh P, Lozupone CA, Knight RD, Gordon JI. Obesity alters gut microbial ecology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. 2005;102(31):11070-11075. doi:10.1073/pnas.0504978102
  19. Nampoothiri KM, Beena DJ, Vasanthakumari DS, Ismail B. Health benefits of exopolysaccharides in fermented foods. Frias J, Martinez-Villaluenga C, Peñas E, ed. Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention. London: Elsevier Inc.; 2016:49-62. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802309-9.00003-0
  20. Melini F, Melini V, Luziatelli F, Ruzzi M. Health-promoting components in fermented foods: An up-to-date systematic review. Nutrients. 2019;11:1189. doi:10.3390/nu11051189
  21. Catteau L, Lautié E, Koné O, Quetin-Leclercq J. Degradation of rotenone in yam bean seeds (Pachyrhizus sp.) through food processing. J Agr Food Chem. 2013;61(46):11173-11179. doi:10.1021/jf402584k
  22. Ünal MÜ, Şener A, Cemek K. Biyoaktif peptitlerin sağlık üzerine etkileri. Gıda. 2018;43(6):930-942. doi:10.1021/jf402584k
  23. London LE, Kumar AH, Wal, R, Casey PG, O’Sullivan O, Shanahan F, Hill C, Cotter PD, et al. Exopolysaccharide-producing probiotic lactobacilli reduce serum cholesterol and modify enteric microbiota in ApoE-deficient Mice. J Nutr. 2014;144:1956-1962. doi:10.3945/jn.114.191627
  24. Mårtensson O, Biörklund M, Lambo AM, Dueñas-Chasco M, Irastorza A, Holst O, et al. Fermented, ropy, oat-based products reduce cholesterol levels and stimulate the Bifidobacteria flora in humans. Nutr Res. 2005;25:429-442. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2005.03.004
  25. Salazar N, Neyrinck AM, Bindels LB, Druart C, Ruas Madiedo P, Cani PD, et al. Functional effects of EPS-producing Bifidobacterium administration on energy metabolic alterations of diet-induced obese mice”. Front Microbiol. 2019;10:108. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.01809
  26. Trabelsi I, Ktari N, Ben Slima S, Triki M, Bardaa S, Mnif H, Ben Salah R. Evaluation of dermal wound healing activity and in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activities of a new exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus sp. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2017;103:194-201. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.05.017
  27. You X, Yang L, Zhao X, Ma K, Chen X, Zhang C, et al. Isolation, purification, characterization and immunostimulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus pentosus LZ-R-17 isolated from Tibetan kefir. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020; 158:408-419. doi: doi:10.1002/adma.201104714
  28. Riaz Rajoka MS, Jin M, Haobin Z, Li Q, Shao D, Jiang C, et al. Functional characterization and biotechnological potential of exopolysaccharide produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains isolated from human breast milk. LWT - Food Sci Technol. 2018;89:638-647. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.11.034
  29. Gan RY, Shah NP, Wang MF, Lui WY, Corke H. Fermentation alters antioxidant capacity and polyphenol distribution in selected edible legumes. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2016; 51:875-884. doi:10.1111/ijfs.13062
  30. Bousquet J, Anto JM, Czarlewski W, Haahtela T, Fonseca SC, Laccarino G, et al. Cabbage and fermented vegetables: From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19. Allergy. 2021;76(3):735-750. doi:10.1111/all.14549
  31. Zeng X, Jia H, Zhang X, Wang X, Wang Z, Gao Z, et al. Supplementation of kefir ameliorates azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium induced colorectal cancer by modulating the gut microbiota. Food Funct. 2021;12:11641-11655. doi:10.1126/science.aaf6298
  32. Yang YJ, Sheu BS. Probiotics-containing yogurts suppress Helicobacter pylori load and modify immune response and intestinal microbiota in the Helicobacter pylori-infected children. Helicobacter. 2012;17:297-304. doi:10.1111/j.1523-5378.2012.00941.x
  33. Lisko D, Johnston G, Johnston C. Effects of dietary yogurt on the healthy human gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. Microorganisms.2017;5:6. doi:10.3390/microorganisms5010006
  34. Le Roy CI, Kurilshikov A, Leeming ER, Visconti A, Bowyer RCE, Menni C, et al. Yoghurt consumption is associated with changes in the composition of the human gut microbiome and metabolome. BMC Microbiol.2022;22:39. doi:10.1186/s12866-021-02364-2
  35. Firmesse O, Alvaro E, Mogenet A, Bresson JL, Lemée R, Le Ruyet P, et al. Fate and effects of camembert cheese microorganisms in the human colonic microbiota of healthy volunteers after regular camembert consumption. Int J Food Microbiol.2008;125:176-181.2008.03.044. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.
  36. Unno T, Choi JH, Hur HG, Sadowsky MJ, Ahn YT, Huh CS, et al. Changes in human gut microbiota influenced by probiotic fermented milk ingestion. J Dairy Sci. 2015;98:3568-3576. doi:10.3168/jds.2014-8943
  37. Han K, Bose S, Wang JH, Kim BS, Kim MJ, Kim EJ, Kim, H. Contrasting effects of fresh and fermented kimchi consumption on gut microbiota composition and gene expression related to metabolic syndrome in obese Korean women. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015;59:1004-1008. doi:10.1007/s12275-008-0179-y
  38. Nielsen ES, Garnås E, Jensen KJ, Hansen LH, Olsen PS, Ritz C, et al. Lacto-fermented sauerkraut improves symptoms in patients independent of product pasteurization-a pilot study. Food Funct. 2018;9:5323-5335. doi:10.1039/c8fo00968f
  39. Jaquet M, Rochat I, Moulin J, Cavin C, Bibiloni R. Impact of coffee consumption on the gut microbiota: A human volunteer study. Int J Food Microbiol. 2009;130:117-121. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2009.01.011
  40. Chiu HF, Chen YJ, Lu YY, Han YC, Shen, YC, Venkatakrishnan K, Wang C-K. Regulatory efficacy of fermented plant extract on the intestinal microflora and lipid profile in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals. J Food Drug Anal. 2017;25:819-827. doi:10.1007/s12602-020-09728-6
  41. Wu T, Chu X, Cheng Y, Tang S, Zogona D, Pan S, Xu X. Modulation of gut microbiota by Lactobacillus casei fermented raspberry juice in-vitro and in-vivo. Foods. 2021;10(12):e3055. doi:10.3390/foods10123055
  42. Queipo-Ortuño MI, Boto-Ordóñez M, Murri M, Gomez-Zumaquero JM, Clemente-Postigo ME, Cardona Diaz F, et al. Influence of red wine polyphenols and ethanol on the gut microbiota ecology and biochemical biomarkers. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:1323-1334. doi:10.1128/mbio.02210-15
  43. Barroso E, Muñoz-González I, Jiménez E, Bartolomé B, Moreno-Arribas MV, Peláez C, et al. Phylogenetic profile of gut microbiota in healthy adults after moderate intake of red wine. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017;61:e1600620. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201600620
  44. Marques FZ, Nelson E, Chu PY, Horlock D, Fiedler A, Ziemann M, et al. High-fiber diet and acetate supplementation change the gut microbiota and prevent the development of hypertension and heart failure in hypertensive mice. Circulatation. 2017;135:964-77. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.024545
  45. Zago M, Fornasari ME, Carminati D, Burns P, Suàrez V, Vinderola G, et al. Characterization and probiotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from cheeses. Food Microbiol. 2011;28:1033-1040. doi:10.1016/j.fm.2011.02.009
  46. Lavermicocca P, Valerio F, Lonigro SL, de Angelis M, Morelli L, Callegari ML, et al. Study of adhesion and survival of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria on table olives to formulate a new probiotic food. Appl Env Microbiol. 2005;71:4233-4240. doi:10.1128/aem.71.8.4233-4240.2005
  47. David LA, Maurice CF, Carmody RN, Turnbaugh PJ. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. Nature. 2014;505:559-563. doi:10.1038/nature12820
  48. Odamaki T, Kato K, Sugahara H, Xiao JZ, Abe F, Benno Y. Effect of probiotic yogurt on animal-based diet-induced change in gut microbiota: An open, randomized, parallel-group study. Benef. Microbes. 2016;7:473-484.doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0708-5
  49. McNulty NP, Yatsunenko T, Hsiao A, Faith JJ, Muegge BD, Goodman AL, et al. The impact of a consortium of fermented milk strains on the gut microbiome of gnotobiotic mice and monozygotic twins. Sci Trans Med. 2011;3:106ra106. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3002701
  50. Choi Y, Keum GB, Kang J, Doo H, Kwak J, Kim H, Chae Y, Lee S, Sun X, Kim HB, Yoo SJ. Evaluation of kefir consumption on gut microbial diversity in a healthy young population using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. Front. Microbiol. 2025;16:1587831. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1587831.
  51. Black EG, Bugarcic A, Lauche R, El-Omar E, El-Assaad F. The effects of kefir on the human oral and gut microbiome. Nutrients. 2025;17(24):3861. doi:10.3390/nu17243861
  52. Ilıkkan Ö, Bağdat EŞ, Yılmaz R, Çetin B, Çon AH, Erten H, Göksungur MY, Şimşek Ö. Bridging tradition and innovation: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis of Turkish fermented foods. Foods. 2025;14(24):4324. doi:10.3390/foods14244324
  53. Koc F, Sabuncu M, Yavuz GG, Düven G, Abdo RMK, Bağci U, Şahan Y, Toğay SÖ, Ross RP, Stanton C. Exploring tarhana’s prebiotic potential using different flours in an in vitro fermentation model. Food Funct. 2025;16:4754-4771. doi:10.1039/d5fo00486a
  54. Mitaf NA, Kırça DŞ, Şimşek Ö. The metagenomic properties of Uşak tarhana dough. Fermentation. 2024;10(12):620. doi:10.3390/fermentation10120620