Work

Food security and diet-related factors associated with gut microbiota composition and diversity in human populations: a systematic literature review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: One of the key roles of the gut microbiota is to maintain human health. Food security, including diet-related factors such as diet quality, food access, and socioeconomic conditions, may influence dietary intake and, consequently, gut microbiota composition. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence from studies in human populations regarding the associations of food security and diet-related factors with gut microbiota diversity and composition. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Crossref, and Semantic Scholar databases for articles published between 2005 and 2025, following the PRISMA guidelines. The review included observational and interventional studies in humans that directly assessed food security status or used related indicators, such as diet quality, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic status, and reported findings on gut microbiota diversity or composition based on sequencing analysis. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. In general, studies that directly assessed food security reported differences in gut microbiota diversity and composition between groups with different levels of food security. Other studies using diet-related factors showed that higher-quality diets, particularly those rich in plant foods and fiber, were associated with greater microbiota diversity and a higher abundance of short-chain fatty acid – producing bacteria. Meanwhile, low-quality diets or limited access to food were often associated with less diverse microbiota and a predominance of opportunistic bacteria. These findings varied across age groups and geographic contexts, with the majority of evidence coming from observational studies. In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrates associations of food security and diet-related factors with gut microbiota diversity and composition in human populations. However, heterogeneity in the definitions of food security, variations in microbiota assessment methods, and limitations in study designs require cautious interpretation of the results. Longitudinal and experimental studies using standardized measures of food security are needed to strengthen the existing evidence.

Source: Medicni perspektivi

DOI: 10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.375439