Research

Mixed

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD) positively influences gut microbiota composition and immune system function, thereby reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) associated with chronic inflammation, whereas a Western diet (WD) promotes dysbiosis and immune impairment.

Prioritize a Mediterranean-style eating pattern over a Western one to support gut health and reduce chronic inflammation. Focus on increasing fiber-rich foods, healthy fats, and diverse plant sources while reducing processed foods typical of a Western diet. This dietary shift is a primary lever for improving the gut microbiota-immune system interplay and preventing non-communicable diseases.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Conversely, other nutritional approaches, such as Mediterranean diet (MD), positively influence immune system and gut microbiota, and is proposed not only as a potential tool in the clinical management of different disease conditions, but also for prevention and health promotion globally. It is a fact that the westernized diet (WD) is partly responsible for the increased prevalence of NCDs, negatively affecting both gut microbiota and the immune system.
Cielo García‐Montero et al. · Nutrients · 2021

Why this rating

This is a review paper summarizing existing evidence; it does not present new primary clinical trial data, relying on cited studies.

Source

Nutritional Components in Western Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet at the Gut Microbiota–Immune System Interplay. Implications for Health and Disease

Cielo García‐Montero et al. · Nutrients · 2021

DOI 10.3390/nu13020699

narrative_reviewCited 405×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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