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Review
. 2024 Aug 29;25(17):9366.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25179366.

A Comprehensive Review of the Triangular Relationship among Diet-Gut Microbiota-Inflammation

Nidesha Randeni  1   2 , Matteo Bordiga  3 , Baojun Xu  1
Affiliations
Review

A Comprehensive Review of the Triangular Relationship among Diet-Gut Microbiota-Inflammation

Nidesha Randeni et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract hosts a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiota, which play a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes, including digestion, metabolism, and immune function. Recent research has highlighted the significant impact of diet on the gut microbiota composition and functionality, and the consequential effects on host health. Concurrently, there is growing evidence linking the gut microbiota to inflammation, a key factor in many chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review explores how dietary components influence the gut microbiota composition, how these microbial changes affect inflammatory pathways, and the therapeutic implications of modulating this axis for chronic inflammatory disease prevention and management. Beneficial dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD) and plant-based diets, promote a diverse and balanced gut microbiota composition, supporting anti-inflammatory pathways. Conversely, the Western diet (WD), high in saturated fats and refined sugars, is associated with dysbiosis and increased inflammation. With all the links between the three variables considered, this review attempts to offer a thorough examination of the triangle formed by inflammation, the gut microbiota, and food.

Keywords: diet; dysbiosis; gut microbiota; inflammation; metabolites.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mediterranean diet and Western diet.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gut barrier function and permeability (leaky gut situation). In a healthy gut, intestinal contents selectively pass through epithelial cells into the bloodstream, primarily via transcellular transport. This process is tightly regulated by tight junctions between epithelial cells, which restrict the passage of unwanted substances. In a leaky gut, the integrity of the intestinal barrier is compromised due to a reduced thickness of the mucus layer and the loosening of tight junctions. This compromised barrier allows pathogens and toxins to cross the intestinal lining and enter the bloodstream.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The interconnected triangle: diet, gut microbiota, and inflammation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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