Gut Microbiota and Specific Response to Diet

Gut microbiota is now considered as a “metabolic organ” that exerts several functions affecting the host metabolism and physiology. Specifically, intestinal bacteria are a highly dynamic component of the gut microbiota that are shaped by both endogenous factors (i.e., host genes), and exogenous factors (i.e., host exposome). The latter mainly referring to the environmental factors, which the host is exposed throughout life. Diet is one of the strongest factors that modulates the composition and the function of the gut bacteria and is therefore considered as a pivotal determinant of pathophysiological mechanisms. Over the past half century, the adoption of modern dietary habits has become a growing health concern – as these habits are strongly associated with both obesity and related metabolic diseases. This change especially drives inflammation and gives rise to both structural and behavioral changes in the gut microbiota. This chapter highlights the major mechanisms by which dietary components (e.g., macronutrients, micronutrients, …), as well as dietary patterns (e.g., Western diet, Mediterranean diet, …) modulate the composition of the gut bacteria and their metabolic activity. Based on observational, interventional, and experimental studies, we highlight the chief concepts relating to the crosstalk between diet and gut microbiota, and how these current insights can generate promising perspectives on the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.