Neuroprotective effects of anthocyanins are mediated by gut microbiota

The microbes that collectively inhabit the gut, the gut microbiota, constitute the largest and most diverse community in the body. Besides having an important role in the regulation of host energy metabolism, the gut microbiota can also influence neurodevelopment, modulate behavior and contribute to the development of neurological disorders. High-fat (HF) diets are thought to disrupt the profile of the gut microbiota in a manner that may contribute to the neuroinflammation and neurobehavioral changes observed in obesity. Accordingly, we hypothesized that by preventing HF-diet induced dysbiosis it is possible to prevent neuroinflammation and the consequent neurological disorders.