Diet, Microbiome and Health

Book excerpt: Diet, Microbiome and Health, Volume 11, in the Handbook of Food Bioengineering series, presents the most up-to-date research to help scientists, researchers and students in the field of food engineering understand the different microbial species we have in our guts, why they are important to human development, immunity and health, and how to use that understanding to further promote research to create healthy food products. In addition, the book provides studies that clearly demonstrate how dietary preferences and social behavior significantly impact the diversity of microbial species in the gut and their numeric values, which may balance health and disease. - Highlights research discoveries on how gut microbiota influence and are impacted by health and disease - Includes information on and examples of healthy foods - Discusses gut microbiota in autism, GI disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, obesity and metabolic disease - Explores the barrier function of the gut - Examines how food preferences impact gut microbiota