Gut microbiota composition modulated by diet; together they determine gastrointestinal health, disease risk

The composition of a person’s diet can be used to regulate gut microbiota, which can have positive outcomes against certain diseases. The findings of the study, which appeared in Food Science and Human Wellness, comes from a comprehensive analysis of previous reports that have linked certain diets and gut microbiota.

• The study touched on the impact of specific diets on the gut microbiota. In particular, a diet high in protein results in ammonia, which can increase the likelihood of malignant growth in high concentrations. On the other hand, certain forms of dietary fiber stimulate the growth of microbiota, which can be beneficial for the host’s health.
• Modern Western diets, which have less fiber and vegetables, may have adverse effects on gut microbiota as some microbial species are lost. Conversely, those who have a high-fiber, low-fat diet adds more beneficial microbes, such as Prevotella and Xylanibacte, to the gut and contains a smaller amount of pathogenic bacteria.
• The Mediterranean diet, which contains fruits, grains, monounsaturated fat, vegetables, and polyunsaturated fats, have lower levels of Bacillaceae, Proteobacteria, and acute phase C-reactive proteins. Bacterial populations of Clostridium and Bacteroidetes, however, were higher. In addition, vegetarian diets showed increased levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium clostridioforme, and Bacteroides Prevotella, but Clostridium cluster XIVa species were lower.
• In the study, the authors indicate that having a healthy gut microbiota is associated with the prevention of conditions like cancer, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson’s disease.

The authors deduced a link between diet and gut microbiota, and how it can affect a person’s overall health; however, further research is still needed to understand its exact process.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Rajoka MSR, Shi J, Mehwish HM, Zhu J, Li Q, Shao D, Huang Q, Yang H. INTERACTION BETWEEN DIET COMPOSITION AND GUT MICROBIOTA AND ITS IMPACT ON GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT HEALTH. Food Science and Human Wellness. September 2017;6(3):121–130. DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2017.07.003