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Gut Microbiota Modulation Through Mediterranean Diet Foods: Implications for Human Health
Pasquale Perrone, Stefania D’Angelo. Nutrients, 2025-03-08
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is widely recognized for its health benefits, particularly in modulating gut microbiota composition and reducing the risk of metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Characterized by a high intake of plant-based foods, monounsaturated fats, and polyphenols, primarily from extra virgin olive oil, the MD fosters the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Roseburia, which produce short-chain fatty acids that enhance gut barrier integrity, reduce inflammation, and improve metabolic homeostasis. Clinical and preclinical studies have proved that the MD is associated with increased microbial diversity, reduced pro-inflammatory bacteria, and improved markers of insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and cognitive function. Additionally, the MD positively influences the gut microbiota in various conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration, potentially mitigating systemic inflammation and enhancing neuroprotective mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that MD variants, such as the Green-MD, and their integration with probiotics can further optimize gut microbiota composition and metabolic parameters. While the beneficial impact of the MD on the gut microbiota and overall health is well supported, further long-term clinical trials are needed to better understand individual variability and improve dietary interventions tailored to different populations.
Key findings
- Clinical and preclinical studies have proved that the MD is associated with increased microbial diversity, reduced pro-inflammatory bacteria, and improved markers of insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and cognitive function.
- Emerging evidence suggests that MD variants, such as the Green-MD, and their integration with probiotics can further optimize gut microbiota composition and metabolic parameters.
- While the beneficial impact of the MD on the gut microbiota and overall health is well supported, further long-term clinical trials are needed to better understand individual variability and improve dietary interventions tailored to different populations.
Why it matters
This review reports that the Mediterranean diet is associated with improved markers of cognitive function and may support neuroprotective mechanisms, based on clinical and preclinical studies. It calls for further long-term clinical trials, so it does not establish that this diet prevents or treats Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Nutrients) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Nutrients: journal h-index 331 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 137 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 45.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 35.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 137 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Stefania D’Angelo: h-index 31 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Parthenope University of Naples: institution h-index 222 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40289944) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Perrone, P., & D’Angelo, S. (2025). Gut Microbiota Modulation Through Mediterranean Diet Foods: Implications for Human Health. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060948
Vancouver
Perrone P, D’Angelo S. Gut Microbiota Modulation Through Mediterranean Diet Foods: Implications for Human Health. Nutrients. 2025. doi:10.3390/nu17060948. PMID: 40289944.
BibTeX
@article{perrone2025-40289944,
author = {Perrone, Pasquale and D’Angelo, Stefania},
title = {{Gut Microbiota Modulation Through Mediterranean Diet Foods: Implications for Human Health}},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/nu17060948},
pmid = {40289944},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060948}
}
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2 studies in the alzhub library list this one in their references.