Table 4_Daily consumption of Fuzhuan brick tea improves lipid profile and vascular function associated with modulation in gut microbiota composition in healthy adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.docx

This trial was completed and registered at chictr.org.cn (registration number ChiCTR2100047294).</p>Results<p>Compared to water, consumption of FBT resulted in significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with improved vascular function (the co-primary outcomes). The longitudinal metagenomic analysis detected no significant alterations in richness and distribution (alpha diversity). However, a subtle but statistically detectable shift in the gut microbiota composition (beta diversity) was observed.

Exploratory species-level analyses suggested increases in bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, such as Roseburia hominis, Eubacterium saphenum, Eubacterium sp. AF15 50, Alistipes dispar, Blautia stercoris, and Lactobacillus amylolyticus, which were correlated with the lipid profile or vascular function.</p>Conclusion<p>Daily consumption of FBT demonstrated beneficial effects on lipid levels and vascular function in healthy adults, and was associated with exploratory shifts in gut microbiota composition, supporting FBT consumption is a simple, affordable, and practical dietary strategy for improving cardiometabolic health.</p>Clinical trial registration<p>chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2100047294.</p>