About this Research Topic

Background

The gut microbiome consists of a dynamic and complex community of trillions of microorganisms residing in the host (human and animals) gastrointestinal tract and playing a crucial role in maintaining health and influencing disease. This microbiota engages in a symbiotic relationship with their host, influencing numerous physiological processes, including digestion, growth, immunity, and even mental health. Dietary patterns and specific nutrients profoundly affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota, thereby impacting overall health outcomes.

Understanding the complex interplay between diet and the gut microbiome has become a pivotal area of research, offering profound insights into health, disease, and overall well-being. Recent advances in microbiome research have uncovered the profound impact that diet has on the composition and function of these microbial communities. Different dietary patterns can significantly alter the abundance and diversity of gut bacteria, leading to various health outcomes. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and metabolic processes. Diet, as a major environmental factor, significantly influences the composition and function of the gut microbiome, which in turn impacts host physiology.

In vitro research including gut models and cell culture although represent part of the interaction between diet and gut microbiome away from the host, may shed the light on the effect of particular food components on the microbial communities. Bioactive ingredients with potential effect on the microbial communities can be examined solely in gut models such as SHIME. Prebiotics, polyphenols and colonic foods are examples of these ingredients.

This Research Topic aims to explore the bidirectional relationship between dietary patterns, specific nutrients, and gut microbiota composition and activity. By investigating how various diets – including but not limited to, ketogenic, Mediterranean, vegan, and high-fiber diets – affect the gut microbial ecosystem, researchers can uncover mechanisms underlying diet-induced health benefits or risks. Additionally, this collection seeks to highlight how alterations in the gut microbiome due to diet can influence systemic health outcomes, such as metabolic health and processes, mental well-being, immune responses, growth performance, and products quality (farm animals). By understanding these interactions, the study aims to establish foundational knowledge that can lead to personalized dietary recommendations or special nutritional strategy to optimize health and prevent or treat diseases.

We invite original research articles, reviews and methods that contribute to a deeper understanding of how diet and the gut microbiome interact to influence health and disease. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches, this Research Topic aims to drive forward the field of microbiome research and translate scientific findings into practical dietary strategies for improving human and or animal health.

Key themes of interest may include but not limited to:

• The impact of specific dietary components (e.g., fiber, polyphenols) such as macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) on gut microbiota composition, diversity and function.
• Evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of these dietary influences on gut microbiome.
• Mechanistic insights into how diet-induced changes in the gut microbiome affect host metabolism, immunity and disease susceptibility.
• Comparative studies on the effects of different dietary patterns on gut microbial composition and function.
• The role of probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fibers and fermented foods in shaping a healthy gut microbiome.
• Diet-gut microbiome interactions across different life stages and their implications for childhood development, aging, and longevity.
• The influence of diet on gut-brain axis and its effects on mental health and cognitive function.
• Personalized nutrition and the potential for tailored dietary interventions to modulate the gut microbiome for optimal health.
• The effects and mechanisms of diet (or functional components) on human physiological metabolism and systemic health by modulating axis of ‘gut microbiome-tissues’.
• The mechanisms of dietary functional components modulating the gastrointestinal microbial community (in vivo & in vitro), also including the interaction between the diet and microbes in vitro fermentation. This may include cell culture and gut models experiments.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic is open for submission in the following formats:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic is open for submission in the following formats:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: diet, gut microbiome, food ingredients, dietary fibers, polysaccharide, functional components, nutrients, microbes, systematic health, metabolism diseases

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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