Abstract

Diet, environmental exposures and aging profoundly influence the gut microbiota from early life onward. Emerging evidence underscores the microbiota’s central role in regulating metabolism, immune function and inflammation-processes that are critical determinants of health and longevity. Gut bacteria generate Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) that support intestinal barrier integrity, modulate immune responses and attenuate inflammation. Diets rich in fiber and polyphenols enhance SCFA production and promote microbial diversity, whereas low-fiber, high-fat diets disrupt microbial balance, contributing to metabolic dysfunction and age-related disease. Diet can potentially modulate the microbiota through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, thereby influencing healthspan and lifespan. Nutritional interventions hold promise for mitigating age-associated microbial imbalances; however, disparities in socioeconomic status, dietary patterns and individual behaviours remain significant barriers to population-wide implementation. Further investigation into the complex interactions among diet, the microbiota and epigenetics is essential for developing personalized dietary strategies that foster healthy aging and extend longevity.

Keywords:Gut microbiome; Diet; Longevity; Aging; Healthspan; Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs); Inflammation; Epigenetics; Gut-brain axis; Metabolic health