Dietary Habits and Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults: Focusing on the Right Diet. A Systematic Review

Abstract

Diet is the first to affect our intestinal microbiota and therefore the state of eubiosis. Several studies are highlighting the potential benefits of taking certain nutritional supplements, but a dietary regime that can ensure the health of the intestinal microbiota, and the many pathways it governs, is not yet clearly defined. We performed a systematic review of the main studies concerning the impact of an omnivorous diet on the composition of the microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Some genera and phyla of interest emerged significantly and about half of the studies evaluated consider them to have an equally significant impact on the production of SCFAs, to be a source of nutrition for our colon cells, and many other processes. Although numerous randomized trials are still needed, the Mediterranean diet could play a valuable role in ensuring our health through direct interaction with our microbiota.

Keywords: Bacteroidetes; Firmicutes; Mediterranean diet; microbiome; plant-based diets; short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Figure 1

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram for the systematic review.