A recent published study* confirmed that consuming a Mediterranean diet for a year improved the composition of the gut biome and potentially the health of subjects aged 65 to 79.  The multinational study was conducted in France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom.  Consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil and fish for a year promoted a population of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids.  The researchers concluded that degradation of high levels of dietary fiber and an intake of nutrients, specifically vitamins B6 and B9 in addition to copper, iron and manganese were beneficial and may have had a positive effect on brain function and activity.

The authors concluded, “The interplay of diet, microbiome and host health is a complex phenomenon influenced by several factors.”  The authors continued, “While the results of the study shed light on the rules of this three-way interplay, several factors such as age, body mass index, disease status and initial dietary pattern may play a key role in determining the extent of success of these interactions.”

*Ghosh, T. S. et al Mediterranean diet intervention alters the gut microbiome in older people, reducing frailty and improving health status: The NU-AGE 1-year dietary intervention across five European countries. Gut Microbiota. doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319654 (2019)