The Role of Diet in Maintaining Strong Brain Health by Taking the Advantage of the Gut-brain Axis

Abstract

A healthy and diverse gut microbiota is essential for host health. Recent studies indicate that the gut microbiota play a significant role in signaling the gut-brain axis, and thereby having a significant impact on the brain, which is a part of the central nervous system (CNS). As the concept of the gut-brain-axis is now relatively well-established, attention has turned to the effects of diets on the gut-brain-axis. While functions of the gut-brain-axis have been studied, the potential impact of diet on brain health, as part of the gut-brain-axis, remains underexplored. Indeed, a limited body of evidence supports a role for diet, prebiotics, and probiotics in influencing the gut-brain-axis. This review focuses on nutrients and bio-active substances such as iron, fiber, short chain fatty acids, vitamins, polyphenols, zinc, and probiotics and their protective effects on brain health. Understanding the influence of diet on the gut-brain-axis will shed light on the conditions wherein brain health can be maintained by altering diet.