The gut-brain axis: Exploring the bidirectional relationship between diet and mental health

Research investigating connections between dietary intake and mental health has identified the gut-brain axis as a potentially important communication pathway. This review examines current understanding of how diet may influence mental health through intestinal microbiota, immune signaling, and neural pathways. While emerging evidence suggests associations between certain dietary patterns and mental health outcomes, the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain incompletely understood. Clinical applications of gut-brain axis research are still developing, with limited high-quality intervention studies available. This review summarizes established findings while acknowledging significant gaps in current knowledge and the need for more rigorous research.