Nutrition and mental health: the association between the gut-brain axis and systemic inflammation in the student population

The project proposal explores the relationship between diet, gut health and mental health in students who are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges and unhealthy eating habits. Based on evidence linking diet to mental health status via the gut-brain axis, the project focuses on the association of diet with advanced glycation end products (AGE), systemic immuno-inflammation and gut microbiota composition among students at the University of Rijeka, which is the primary objective. AGEs, associated with unhealthy dietary patterns, are involved in neuroinflammation and disorders such as depression and anxiety. Systemic immuno-inflammation potentially mediates the relationship between diet, gut health and mental health. At baseline and after the intervention, students will be assessed for their diet quality and mental health, blood and stool samples will be analyzed, and AGE will be determined. The intervention will focus on an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, and mental health. Using advanced methodologies, such as skin AGE reading and 16S rRNA sequencing, this project will provide insight into how diet-induced changes in inflammation and gut microbiota are associated with mental health status. Expected outcomes include a clearer understanding of dietary patterns that support gut health and mental well-being, and the role of systemic immune inflammation and AGEs in mediating these effects. The insights gained could inform university nutrition and students’ health and health promotion activities and contribute to a healthier university environment, improving students’ health and academic outcomes. The insights will also contribute to nutritional epidemiology and psychology and serve as a foundation for future biomedicine and public health research.