Reduction in cardiometabolic risk factors by a multifunctional diet is mediated via several branches of metabolism as evidenced by nontargeted metabolite profiling approach.

Multifunctional diet (MFD), a diet based on multiple functional concepts and ingredients with anti-inflammatory activity, was previously shown to improve different cardiometabolic risk-associated markers in healthy subjects. Here, we assessed the impact of MFD on plasma metabolome and explored associations of the differential metabolites with clinical parameters, searching for metabolic determinants related to the effects of MFD.

Forty-four overweight healthy volunteers completed a randomized crossover intervention comparing MFD with a control diet devoid of the active components of MFD. Fasting plasma samples were analyzed with nontargeted metabolite profiling at baseline and at the end (4 wk) of each diet period by LC coupled to quadrupole-TOF-MS system, revealing a vast impact of MFD on metabolic homeostasis. Main metabolite classes affected included acylcarnitines, furan fatty acids, phospholipids (plasmalogens, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines), and various low-molecular weight products from the bioactivity of gut microbiota. Circulating levels of several of these metabolites correlated with changes in clinical blood lipid biomarkers.

The metabolomics approach revealed that consumption of MFD affected different areas of metabolism, highlighting the impact of a healthy diet on plasma metabolome. This seems linked to reduced cardiometabolic risk and provides mechanistic insight into the effects of MFD.