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A Systematic Review of Time-Restricted Eating's Effect on Gut Microbiota and How It May Contribute to Cognitive Function

Time-restricted eating is a fasting diet where the food intake is restricted to a short, typically eight-hour, window each day. It is associated with health benefits such as weight loss, improved sleep, protection against cognitive disorders, and improved cognitive function. The cognitive effects of time-restricted eating have primarily been explained by the production of ketogenesis – an alternative energy source produced when calories are restricted – and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The gut microbiota is the trillions of microorganisms inhabiting the intestinal tract and has also been associated with improved mental health through communication via the gut-brain axis. This review aims to investigate whether changes in the microbiota may mediate the effect of time-restricted eating on cognitive function. Studies investigating the effect of time-restricted eating on the microbiota were systematically reviewed. The results indicate that time-restricted eating may alter the microbiome composition and increase butyrate-producing bacteria. Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid associated with the expression of genes involved in neural development and the reduction of neuroinflammation. Limited by the few studies reviewed, the results may indicate a possible link between time-restricted eating and cognitive function via the microbiota, although more research is needed.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:his-21136
Date January 2021
CreatorsLind, Susanne
PublisherHögskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för biovetenskap
Source SetsDiVA Archive at Upsalla University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeStudent thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text
Formatapplication/pdf
Rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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