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Multi-Omic Insights Into Mediterranean Diet-Associated Microbiota
Andrea Alvarez-Sala1, Nuria Jiménez-Hernández2,3, Alejandro Artacho2
1Departamento De Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|April 4, 2026
Summary
The Mediterranean diet significantly alters gut microbial and fungal communities. High adherence promotes beneficial bacteria and enhances gut metabolic activity, potentially boosting immune response.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Nutritional science
- Metagenomics
Background:
- Diet profoundly influences gut microbiota and mycobiota composition.
- The Mediterranean diet (MD) is associated with numerous health benefits.
- Understanding the impact of MD adherence on gut microbial and fungal communities is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the gut microbiota and mycobiota composition in relation to Mediterranean diet adherence.
- To investigate gene expression levels in the bacterial community using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.
- To identify microbial and fungal biomarkers associated with high and low MD adherence.
Main Methods:
- Metataxonomics, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics were employed.
- Two groups of healthy subjects with distinct MD adherence levels were analyzed.
- Statistical analyses identified discriminant dietary components and microbial/fungal biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gut microbiota and mycobiota composition were observed between high (HAMD) and low (LAMD) adherence groups.
- Olive oil, vegetable, and fruit consumption were key discriminators.
- Aspergillus (LAMD) and Yarrowia (HAMD) were identified as biomarkers, with HAMD showing higher microbial metabolic activity and protein synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Mediterranean diet adherence significantly shapes the gut microbiome and mycobiome.
- High adherence is linked to a more metabolically active gut microbiota with potential immune-enhancing properties.
- Further metatranscriptomic studies are needed to elucidate diet-microbiota interactions and their health implications.
Keywords:
Mediterranean dietgene expressiongut microbiomemetagenomicsmetataxonomicsmetatranscriptomicsmycobiomeMore Related Videos
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