Human Gut Microbiome, Diets and Health

Dear Colleagues,

The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a diversity of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa acquired early in life. The microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that plays a crucial role in human health and disease. The gut microbiota composition changes between populations based on diet, lifestyle, and geographic location. Diet impacts the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota and is essential for maintaining gut health and overall well-being. Different diets and eating patterns can influence bacterial diversity in the gut, while an imbalanced diet combined with an unhealthy lifestyle can have long-lasting effects. A high-fiber diet and fermented foods with probiotics may benefit the gut microbiome and support gut health. In contrast, a high consumption of processed foods, particularly those characteristic of the low-fiber, high-sugar Western diet, is associated with reduced microbial diversity. This poor dietary pattern increases the risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and cancer, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in maintaining overall health. Thus, a balanced diet can reduce the incidence of chronic health conditions associated with poor gut health. Studying the ecology and interactions between a host and its microbiota promises profound insights into human health, with potential implications for the future prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases.

This Special Issue will compile a collection of articles on the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome, and human health. It will offer new perspectives on how dietary patterns influence the gut microbiome and, consequently, human health. As the Guest Editor, I invite you to submit research articles, review articles, and short communications focusing on the interplay between diet and the gut microbiome. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the effects of various diets on microbial diversity, the role of prebiotics and probiotics, the impact of fiber intake, and the mechanisms by which diet-induced changes in the microbiota affect metabolic and immune health.

Dr. Miriam R. Fernandes
Dr. Carolina Dos Anjos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.