Functional gut disorders and mental health: The gut–brain link

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Nutrition

Functional gut disorders and mental health: The gut–brain link

Sarah Munn

Healthy Brain
Diets that emphasise the consumption of high-fibre, nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods have beneficial effects on mental health – these benefits may be due to positive changes in the gut microbiota [Image: Amy van der Loo and DALL·E 2]

Communication between the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract and the microbiota occurs through the gut–brain axis. Dietitian Sarah Munn looks at how this pathway influences health

Key points, Gut–brain dysregulation is involved in irritable bowel syndrome and mental health symptoms. The Mediterranean-style diet has significant effects in , Pract Green w Pale Yellow
References

1. Jacka FN, O’Neil A, Opie R, et al. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the ‘SMILES’ trial). BMC Med 2017;15(1):23.

2. Ministry of Health. New Zealand Health Survey: Annual Data Explorer. November 2022.