Abstract
Diet is the first to affect our intestinal microbiota and therefore the state of eubiosis. Several studies are highlighting the potential benefits of taking certain nutritional supplements, but a dietary regime that can ensure the health of the intestinal microbiota, and the many pathways it governs, is not yet clearly defined. We performed a systematic review of the main studies concerning the impact of an omnivorous diet on the composition of the microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Some genera and phyla of interest emerged significantly and about half of the studies evaluated consider them to have an equally significant impact on the production of SCFAs, to be a source of nutrition for our colon cells, and many other processes. Although numerous randomized trials are still needed, the Mediterranean diet could play a valuable role in ensuring our health through direct interaction with our microbiota.
Highlights
The human microbiota is the term used to describe the totality of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and protozoa that inhabits our organism [1]
A recent study showed that healthy young adults have a microbiota that can restore itself after broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment due to resilience [39]
Artificial sweeteners are used to provide flavour without calories, in order to reduce the obesity widespread in the world, but while interacting with our gut microbes, they could lead to unexpected glucose intolerance themselves
Summary
The human microbiota is the term used to describe the totality of bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, and protozoa that inhabits our organism [1]. Most of them (about 80% of the total) reside in the gastrointestinal tract in a proportion equal to about 1011–1012 microbes per millilitre (mL). The microbiota establishes a mutualistic relationship with the host, and it can produce millions of active metabolites that will interact with our body’s complex networks. The intestinal microbiota should be conceived as a dynamic “organ” able to influence the absorption, metabolism, and storage of ingested nutrients [2]. It exerts competitive phenomena with pathogenic microbes for the search of nutrients and of ecological niches colonization (barrier functions) [3] and modulates the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, interacting with visceral sensitivity, motility, digestion, and substances secretion [4]
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