Towards the characterisation of sustainable diet's gut microbiota composition and functions: A narrative review

Abstract

The gut microbiome is a key element for health preservation and disease prevention. Nevertheless, defining a healthy gut microbiome is complex since it is modulated by several factors, such as host genetics, sex, age, geographical zone, drug use, and, especially, diet. Although a healthy diet has proven to increase microbial alpha and beta diversity and to promote the proliferation of health-related bacteria, considering the current environmental and nutritional crisis, such as climate change, water shortage, loss of diversity, and the obesity pandemic, it should be highlighted that a healthy diet is not always sustainable. Sustainable diets are dietary patterns that promote all dimensions of people's health and well-being while exerting low pressure on the environment, and being accessible, affordable, safe, equitable, and culturally acceptable. Examples of diets that tend to be sustainable are the Planetary Health Diet of the EAT-Lancet Commission or territorial diets such as the Mediterranean and the Traditional Mexican diet (milpa diet), adapted to specific contexts. These diets are principally plant-based but include small or moderate amounts of animal-based foods. Characterising the effects of sustainable diets on gut microbiota is urgent to ensure that the benefits for human health are aligned with environmental preservation and respect the sociocultural aspects of individuals.

Keywords: gut microbiome; gut microbiota; planetary health; plant-based diets; sustainable diets.

Graphical abstract