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Review
. 2024 Jan-Dec;16(1):2297864.
doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2297864. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Elucidating the role of diet in maintaining gut health to reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular and other age-related inflammatory diseases: recent challenges and future recommendations

Tariq Aziz  1 , Nageen Hussain  2 , Zunaira Hameed  2 , Lin Lin  1
Affiliations
Review

Elucidating the role of diet in maintaining gut health to reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular and other age-related inflammatory diseases: recent challenges and future recommendations

Tariq Aziz et al. Gut Microbes. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

A healthy balanced diet is crucial in protecting the immune system against infections and diseases. Poor diets, such as the Western diet, contribute to the development of metabolic diseases, hypertension, and obesity. Microbiota, primarily composed of different microorganisms and residing in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), also play a significant role in maintaining gut health. Polyphenols and probiotics found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds promote gut health and support the growth of beneficial bacteria. Different types of diets, their categories, and their impact on health are also mentioned. The relationship between diet, gut health, and the risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory diseases is discussed in this review article. The rationale behind the review concludes future recommendations for maintaining gut health and reducing the occurrence of obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, and other inflammatory diseases. There is also the need for standardized research methods, long-term studies, and translating scientific knowledge into practical dietary recommendations.

Keywords: Inflammatory diseases; microbiota; obesity; polyphenols; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage abundance of phyla present in gut according to age groups (A) males (B) females.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Different types of diet.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Role of gut microbiota in autoimmune diseases.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The human gut-brain axis.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Metabolism of polyphenols by gut microbiota.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Benefits of probiotics on the overall health of an individual.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Mechanism of action of probiotics.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Cardiovascular health is linked with the diet which shapes the microbiota of the gut and leads to a healthy life cycle.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Symptoms of aging with gut diseases.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Gut health reduces the risk of various diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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