Study: Feeding gut microbes to nourish the brain: Unravelling the diet–microbiota–gut–brain axis . Image Credit: Ellen Eryomenko / Shutterstock.com The rise in brain disorders is linked to poor diet, while healthy eating supports brain health.
This review highlights the gut-brain axis, where diet influences brain function through gut microbiota, and discusses its potential for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. A recent Nature Metabolism study discusses the diet-microbiota-gut-brain axis, which describes the role of both diet and gut microbiota composition on cognitive and emotional health. Diet and the gut microbiota Diets rich in carbohydrates significantly increase Bifidobacterium levels in the gut microbiome while leading to reduced Bacteroides levels.
Undigested carbohydrates in prebiotics promote the growth of a healthy gut microbiota, thereby benefitting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Proteins are the primary source of amino acids, which are key for brain health. Consuming plant-based proteins increases short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels, both of which promote overall health.
Comparatively, long-term consumption of animal-based proteins may adversely impact the gut microbiota. Increased consumption of saturated fats has been associated with cognitive impairment, whereas an inverse effect has been observed for unsaturated fatty acid intake. The quantity and saturation of fat determines the exact effects on the gut microbi.