Probiotics and Nutrient Bioavailability: Enhancing Gut Health to Combat Malnutrition

Malnutrition is defined as a major or long-term imbalance in nutrient intake. Though this condition affects the population of well-developed countries, it particularly impacts the populations of less developed ones. Multiple factors can contribute to malnutrition, such as reduced intestinal absorption, unfavorable eating behaviors, anorexia, metabolic damage, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, a key issue in most cases is malnutrition due to a lack of nutrient absorption. The process of nutrient absorption primarily takes place in the small intestine. Nutrient bioavailability within the food matrix, as well as the human microbiota profile, are major factors in the effectiveness of this absorption process. With this in mind, alteration to the microbiota profile can be a method of relieving malnutrition. Probiotics are a key way to impact and improve the gut microbiome. Probiotics can also be added to foods themselves, such as via processes of fermentation, which is another potential way to increase nutrient bioavailability and decrease the potential harm produced by xenobiotics, pathogens, and mycotoxins.

This research topic aims to collect scientific papers that elucidate how probiotics can be used in different biotechnological techniques to improve the bioavailability of nutrients in the food matrix, as well as how probiotics can improve gut health and ensure maximum absorption of nutrients. We invite scientists and experts to submit their original research, review, or mini-review articles on subtopics including, but not limited to: the influence of probiotics—and food processing techniques that involve probiotics—on the bioavailability of nutrients; the impact of probiotics and gut microbiota on nutrient absorption; consumer behavior, health impact, the economy (food market, health care systems); technological aspects regarding foods containing probiotics and fermented foods; and the benefits of fermented foods.

To gather further insights into the role of probiotics in nutrient absorption and malnutrition, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The influence of probiotics on the bioavailability of nutrients
• Food processing techniques involving probiotics
• The impact of probiotics and gut microbiota on nutrient absorption
• Consumer behavior and health impact
• Economic implications for the food market and healthcare systems
• Technological aspects of foods containing probiotics and fermented foods
• Benefits of fermented foods