Instead of Calories, Should We Be Counting our Consumption of Exosomes and MicroRNAs?

Abstract

Abstract: The specific foods to eat for optimal nutrition remain ill-defined. Studies using plant-based diets or milk suggest that vesicles, termed exosomes, and small RNAs termed microRNAs (miRNAs) are health promoting components in foods. However, numerous studies refute the poten-tial of dietary cross-kingdom communication of exosomes and miRNAs. While research reinforces that plant-based diets and milk are healthy components of a well-rounded diet, the bioavailability and bioactivity of the exosomes and miRNAs present in plant-based diets and milk remain unclear. Further investigations of plant-based diet and milk exosome like particles may open a new era in application of food for overall health enhancement. In addition, the potential biotechnological plant-based diet and milk exosome like particles can aid in cancer treatment.