Effect of virgin coconut oil on caecal microbiota composition in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The gut microbiota is a complex community of a diverse population of obligate and facultative anaerobic microorganisms that could affect host metabolism and immune homeostasis. The effects of virgin coconut oil on the mean weekly fasting glycaemia, weekly body mass gains and daily water and food intakes after 16 weeks, as well as on the changes in composition of caecal microbiota in both non-diabetic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, were investigated. The beneficial effects of virgin coconut oil were observed for all examined parameters. Additionally, this oil's potential to positively affect the caecum microbiome, with significant increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Allobaculum and Bifidobacterium species, was proven.