Influence of Mediterranean Diet on Human Gut Microbiota.

Giuseppe Merra,Annunziata Capacci,Antonino De Lorenzo,Giulia Marrone,Marco Cintoni,Maria Grazia Tarsitano,Annalisa Noce

doi:10.3390/nu13010007

Abstract

Gut microbiota changes correlate with health status. Literature data on gut microbiota show that all dietary changes can induce the alteration of gut microbiota composition. Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with a reduction of all-cause mortality and in this review, we analyzed its interactions with human microbiota. In particular, we explored the modulation of the human microbiota, in response to MD adherence, focusing the attention on polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ω-3 and fiber. Evidences suggest that MD is able to modulate the gut microbiota, increasing its diversity. In fact, a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern is associated with specific gut microbiota characteristics. The available evidence, suggests that gut microbiota of subjects that follow a MD is significantly different from subjects that follow a Western diet model. In fact, the latter show an increased gut permeability, which is responsible for metabolic endotoxemia. For this reason, we can speculate that the gut microbiota of the subjects following a MD is able to prevent the onset of chronic non-communicable degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer. However, in order to understand these correlations with dietary patterns, controlled intervention studies on the gut microbiota composition and activity are needed.

Highlights

IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.license.The “concept” of Mediterranean diet (MD) [1] was introduced and characterized for the first time by Ancel Keys, a physiologist, who subsequently studied the effects of eating habits on the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) diseases
This study showed a clear drop in mortality in the group following instead the second group followed a Mediterranean food style abounding in rapeseed oil a MD, fact,This due study to thisshowed detectable effect attributable to dietary study was

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. In the group following instead the second group followed a Mediterranean food style abounding in rapeseed oil a MD, fact,This due study to thisshowed detectable effect attributable to dietary study was (rich inin ω-3). Salad”, characterized mainly by the consumption of raw vegetables, extra virgin olive oil a (EVOO) and legumes, is related with a minor mortality risk in geriatric patients and (EVOO). Among the characteristic foods of the MD, one that is known to induce health benefits is EVOO The latter is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, that are beneficial for the heart health and rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants and they belong to the same family of red wine tannins [21]. De Filippis et al [24] demonstrated that a Mediterranean-type diet, characterized by an high content of plant-based food, exert a beneficial role in the gut microbiota composition. We explore the possible modulation of the gut microbiota, in response to MD adherence, focusing the attention on MD typical elements such as EVOO, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ω-3 and fiber

Materials and Methods

Mediterranean Diet and Microbiota Composition

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Polyunsaturated Fatty Actids ω-3

Findings

Conclusions