Nutrition and Gut Microbiome

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to the Special Issue entitled “Nutrition and Gut Microbiome”.

There is a consensus that nutrition is a significant factor shaping gut microbiome composition. Many studies have compared the gut microbiota profile of individuals with different dietary patterns to assess the effect of alimentation on microbial diversity and abundance. The factors investigated include nutrients such as fiber, fats, proteins, and the intake of fermentable foods. Healthy dietary patterns associated with higher fiber intake are repeatedly demonstrated to be associated with better gut microbial diversity. Additionally, they allow a higher abundance of beneficial bacterial species. These short-chain fatty acid producers could possibly decrease inflammation and enhance gut barrier function. Fats are less studied, but some results suggest that high-fat or long-chain triglyceride consumption can increase the presence of desirable bacteria in the intestines.

This Special Issue aims to clarify the role of some foods with complementary pro-, pre-, or postbiotics. These are non-digestible food ingredients, such as non-digestible fiber-containing prebiotics that promote the growth of 'good' microorganisms in the colon; live bacterial cultures in fermented food products and/or active bacterial cultures present in yogurt that are beneficial to health and well-being; non-digestible food ingredients that promote the proliferation of good bacteria. In clinical studies, dietary intervention of up to 4 weeks has shown differential effects on the gut microbial composition, suggesting an accelerated turnover rate of gut microbiota. Following dietary restriction or malnutrition, there is also a shift in microbial composition, with a proportional decrease in beneficial bacterial groups compared to the increased abundance of pathobionts.

The scope of this Special Issue surrounds the development of personalized nutrition based on gut microbial composition, allowing for the establishment of better dietary guidelines and treatment recommendations. It will introduce topics and their scientific background, and highlight the importance of this research area.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Nutrition;
• Gut microbiome;
• Effect of alimentation on microbial diversity and abundance;
• Dietary patterns associated with better gut microbial diversity;
• Dietary patterns associated with decrease inflammation and gut barrier function;
• Role of some foods with complementary pro-, pre-, or postbiotics;
• Microbial composition;
• Personalized nutrition.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Merra
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• nutrition
• gut microbiome
• diet
• microbial diversity
• pro-, pre- and post-biotics