Nutrients, Vol. 18, Pages 1412: Diet–Microbiome–Brain Axis and Mental Health: Biological Mechanisms and Nutritional Implications
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu18091412
Authors:
Diana Uțu
Aniela-Roxana Nodiți-Cuc
Andreea-Mihaela Kiș
Ramona Amina Popovici
Dana Emanuela Pitic
Laria-Maria Trusculescu
Diana Marian
Andreea Georgiana Nan
Asad Salehi Matin
Dora Mihaela Cîmpian
Cristina Raluca Bodo
Alexandra Enache
Iustin Olariu
Background/Objectives: Diet is a primary and modifiable determinant of gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity, thereby shaping microbial-derived metabolites, immune and inflammatory signalling, neuroendocrine regulation, and neural communication with the central nervous system. Western dietary patterns, characterised by high intake of ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and low dietary fibre, are consistently associated with gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, chronic low-grade inflammation, and increased risk of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: This narrative review synthesises evidence from human observational studies, randomised controlled trials, animal models, and mechanistic investigations examining interactions among diet, gut microbiota, and mental health or neurobiological outcomes. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published up to December 2025. Results: The study highlights the therapeutic potential and limitations of dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, and psychobiotics, and critically evaluates them. Also facilitates an improved understanding of diet–microbiome–brain interactions, which may help the development of personalised, nutrition-based strategies integrated into mental health prevention and clinical care. Conclusions: These findings support diet-based, microbiome-informed strategies as scalable adjuncts in mental health prevention and care.
Background/Objectives: Diet is a primary and modifiable determinant of gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity, thereby shaping microbial-derived metabolites, immune and inflammatory signalling, neuroendocrine regulation, and neural communication with the central nervous system. Western dietary patterns, characterised by high intake of ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and low dietary fibre, are consistently associated with gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, chronic low-grade inflammation, and increased risk of depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: This narrative review synthesises evidence from human observational studies, randomised controlled trials, animal models, and mechanistic investigations examining interactions among diet, gut microbiota, and mental health or neurobiological outcomes. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published up to December 2025. Results: The study highlights the therapeutic potential and limitations of dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, and psychobiotics, and critically evaluates them. Also facilitates an improved understanding of diet–microbiome–brain interactions, which may help the development of personalised, nutrition-based strategies integrated into mental health prevention and clinical care. Conclusions: These findings support diet-based, microbiome-informed strategies as scalable adjuncts in mental health prevention and care. Read More