Stress, Microbiota, and Diets: When Bacteria dance to the rhythm of Calories!

Metabolic and psychological disorders, such as stress and obesity, share complex biological mechanisms regulated by the gut-brain axis. Chronic stress disrupts this balance by altering gut microbiota and reducing the production of key molecules like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which exacerbates inflammation and stress responses.

Low-calorie diets present a promising opportunity to restore this balance by modulating the microbiota and improving stress management. However, their effects on bacterial diversity remain ambiguous. This study investigates the combined impact of caloric restriction and a clinical psychological intervention (CPI) on gut microbiota and mental well-being in overweight or stressed women.

Fewer Calories, Less Stress: Could the Microbiota Hold the Key?

In this study, 41 women were randomly divided into two dietary groups: