What is the case?

Human gut health and the gut microbiome play an important role in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Modulating the gut microbiome to improve gut health can therefore prevent these NCDs. Nutrition is the primary driver of the gut microbiome. Since soil cultivation and the soil microbiome affect the nutritional quality of food, our hypothesis is that soil use and gut health are closely related. Decades of intensive farming to maintain high yields have led to high inputs of pesticides and fertilisers. However, this is not sustainable as it harms soil health. These assaults on soil health can directly damage our gut microbiome and gut health, increasing the risk of NCDs.

What is the project doing about it?

Using a combination of approaches from experimental, clinical, and social sciences, we will first determine how different farming practices affect the soil microbiome. Next, we will investigate how these practices influence the microbiome, metabolites, and nutrient quality of the crops we eat. These crops will then be evaluated by consumers for taste and their effects on human gut function and gut health. Finally, we will study consumers' perspectives on healthy food and their appreciation of microbiome-optimised crops.

What does the project deliver?

Our interdisciplinary consortium consists of partners from universities, universities of applied sciences, research/knowledge institutions, farmers, consumers, and businesses. The desired effects of our joint efforts are: improvement of consumer health, improvement of soil health and agricultural sustainability, with economic well-being for farmers.

Project details

Applied Research Group Leader/Researcher: Martina Sura-de Jong, Emiel Elferink, Kika Lewak, Ruben Dümmer, Pauline Drost, Barend Gehner
Project Duration: June 2023 – June 2029
Project Partners: LU - CML, LUMC, LU - IBL, LU - PA, RuG, NIOO-KNAW, NUTRIM, LU – Institute of Psychology; co-funders: Normec Groen Agro Control, Netherlands, Biosintrum, Eurostyle BV, Koppert Cress, Van Der Knaap, N-xt fertilisers/Soil Health BV, Groentekwekerij De Nieuwe Ronde; collaborating partners: Bac2nature foundation, Delphy, Dutch Digestive Foundation (MLDS), Plant Health Cure.