Abstract
Gut microbiota have recently been suggested to play a part in low-grade systemic
inflammation, which is considered a key risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. Diet is known to
affect gut microbiota; however, the effects of diet and dietary components on gut microbiota and
inflammation are not fully understood. In the present review, we summarize recent research on
human dietary intervention studies, investigating the effects of healthy diets or dietary components
on gut microbiota and systemic inflammation. We included 18 studies that reported how different
dietary components altered gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid levels, and/or
inflammatory markers. However, the heterogeneity among the intervention studies makes it difficult
to conclude whether diets or dietary components affect gut microbiota homeostasis and inflammation.
More appropriately designed studies are needed to better understand the effects of diet on the gut
microbiota, systemic inflammation, and risk of cardiometabolic disorders.