The Effect of Dietary Types on Gut Microbiota Composition and Development of Non-Communicable Diseases: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: The importance of diet in shaping the gut microbiota is well established and may help improve an individual’s overall health. Many other factors, such as genetics, age, exercise, antibiotic therapy, or tobacco use, also play a role in influencing gut microbiota. Aim: This narrative review summarizes how three distinct dietary types (plant-based, Mediterranean, and Western) affect the composition of gut microbiota and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, focusing on the keywords “dietary pattern”, “gut microbiota” and “dysbiosis”. Results: Both plant-based and Mediterranean diets have been shown to promote the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while simultaneously lowering concentrations of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a molecule associated with negative health outcomes. Additionally, they have a positive impact on microbial diversity and therefore are generally considered healthy dietary types. On the other hand, the Western diet is a typical example of an unhealthy nutritional approach leading to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, where TMAO levels rise and SCFA production drops due to gut dysbiosis. Conclusion: The current scientific literature consistently highlights the superiority of plant-based and Mediterranean dietary types over the Western diet in promoting gut health and preventing NCDs. Understanding the influence of diet on gut microbiota modulation may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies.