Gut microbiome and Mediterranean diet in the context of obesity. Current knowledge, perspectives and potential therapeutic targets

Christina Tsigalou; Afroditi Paraschaki; Alexandros Karvelas; Konstantina Kantartzi; Kenan Gagali; Dimitrios Tsairidis; Eugenia Bezirtzoglou

doi:10.1016/j.metop.2021.100081

Gut microbiome and Mediterranean diet in the context of obesity. Current knowledge, perspectives and potential therapeutic targets

Metabol Open. 2021 Feb 2:9:100081. doi: 10.1016/j.metop.2021.100081. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Authors

Christina Tsigalou¹, Afroditi Paraschaki¹, Alexandros Karvelas¹, Konstantina Kantartzi², Kenan Gagali³, Dimitrios Tsairidis⁴, Eugenia Bezirtzoglou⁴

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana Campus, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece.
² Department of Nephrology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis Dragana Campus, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece.
³ University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana Campus, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece.
⁴ Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, 68100, Greece.

Abstract

Mediterranean Diet has been recognized as one of the healthiest and sustainable dietary patterns worldwide, based on the food habits of people living in the Mediterranean region. It is focused on a plant-based cuisine combining local agricultural products and moderate intake of fish. As eating habits seem to exert a major impact on the composition of gut microbiota, numerous studies show that an adherence to the Mediterranean diet positively influences the microbiome ecosystem network. This has a profound effect on multiple host metabolic pathways and plays a major role in immune and metabolic homeostasis. Among metabolic disorders, obesity represents a major health issue where Mediterranean Dietary regime could possibly slowdown its spread. The aim of this review is to emphasize the interaction between diet and gut microbiota and the potential beneficial effects of Mediterranean diet on metabolic disorders like obesity, which is responsible for the development of many noncommunicable diseases.

Keywords: Diet patterns; Gut microbiome; Mediterranean diet; Microbiota; Noncommunicable diseases; Nutrients; Obesity; Overweight.