Cited by 229Gut microbiota and healthNutritional Studies and DietTryptophan and brain disorders

The role of the gut microbiota in dietary interventions for depression and anxiety

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Bear, Tracey L K, Dalziel, Julie E, Coad, Jane, Roy, Nicole C, Butts, Christine A, Gopal, Pramod K·2020·Advances in Nutrition

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that an unhealthy dietary pattern may increase the risk of developing depression or anxiety, whereas a healthy dietary pattern may decrease it. This nascent research suggests that dietary interventions could help prevent, or be an alternative or adjunct therapy for, depression and anxiety. The relation, however, is complex, affected by many confounding variables, and is also likely to be bidirectional, with dietary choices being affected by stress and depression. This complexity is reflected in the data, with sometimes conflicting results among studies. As the research evolves, all characteristics of the relation need to be considered to ensure that we obtain a full understanding, which can potentially be translated into clinical practice. A parallel and fast-growing body of research shows that the gut microbiota is linked with the brain in a bidirectional relation, commonly termed the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Preclinical evidence suggests that this axis plays a key role in the regulation of brain function and behavior. In this review we discuss possible reasons for the conflicting results in diet-mood research, and present examples of areas of the diet-mood relation in which the gut microbiota is likely to be involved, potentially explaining some of the conflicting results from diet and depression studies. We argue that because diet is one of the most significant factors that affects human gut microbiota structure and function, nutritional intervention studies need to consider the gut microbiota as an essential piece of the puzzle.

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Crossref · 10.1093/advances/nmaa016

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  • Variations in macronutrient ratios, amounts, and types are large drivers of the effect on microbiota composition, with specific microbes thriving on selective macronutrients, thereby increasing their abundance.

    “Variations in macronutrient ratios, amounts, and types are large drivers of the effect on microbiota composition (111), with specific microbes thriving on selective macronutrients, thereby increasing their abundance.”

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  1. [81]Lydiard RB Irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression: what are the links?. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001; 62(Suppl 8): 38– 47. 12108820

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Authors
Bear, T. L. K., Dalziel, J. E., Coad, J., Roy, N. C., Butts, C. A., & Gopal, P. K.
Affiliations
  • Riddet Institute (NZ)
  • AgResearch (NZ)
  • Massey University (NZ)
Corresponding author
Bear, Tracey L K
Venue
Advances in Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-07
Volume
11
Issue
4
Pages
890-907
ISSN
  • 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
  • 2161-8313
OpenAlex
W3011103980
Cited by
229
References
254
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 53 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 7
FWCI
3.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
Tertiary Education Commission
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
gut microbiota, depression, anxiety, microbiome-gut-brain axis, dietary intervention, bidirectional relationship, conflicting study results
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Anxiety, Brain, Depression, Humans, Microbiota

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