The gut microbiota dietary index reveals a modifiable diet–depression association varying by BMI and possibly linked to inflammation: a hypothesis-generating modified diet for future intervention research
- 1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Children and Adolescents’ Health and Diseases, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
- 2School of Mathematics, Sichuan University, 24 South Section, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065 China
- 3Chongqing Mental Health Center, Chongqing, China
Abstract
In the context of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, diet represents a critical yet still debated component of translational psychiatry. However, population-based evidence linking microbiota-supportive dietary patterns to depressive symptoms remains limited. This research leverages the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) to examine the associations between a gut-microbiota-friendly diet and depression, providing a theoretical framework for future research on practical applications. Using data from 28,884 adults, this cross-sectional study evaluated the association between DI-GM and PHQ-9 using survey-compatible descriptive and conventional regression analyses, ordinary-weighted generalized additive models (GAMs), XGBoost with SHAP for exploratory feature ranking, and an exploratory mediation-type analysis of systemic inflammation. Participants with depression had lower DI-GM scores than those without depression. Model-based analyses suggested an inverse predicted pattern between DI-GM and PHQ-9, especially with the interaction GAM indicating significant BMI-related heterogeneity (a more pronounced inverse association at higher BMI). XGBoost with SHAP analyses identified fiber, refined grains, percent energy from fat and whole grains as dietary features with relatively larger contributions to model predictions. Exploratory mediation-type analysis suggested that inflammation may partially explain the DI-GM–PHQ-9 association. However, a high DI-GM diet lacks depression-related nutrients like vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Based on these hypothesis-generating findings, we propose a conceptual framework for a Modified Gut Microbiota-Friendly Diet (MGFD) with high DI-GM score, caloric control, and targeted nutrient supplementation, requiring validation via prospective cohorts, randomized trials, and gut microbiome/metabolomic studies.
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BibTeX
@article{kong2026microbiota,
title = {{The gut microbiota dietary index reveals a modifiable diet–depression association varying by BMI and possibly linked to inflammation: a hypothesis-generating modified diet for future intervention research}},
author = {Lin Kong and Ma Wenyue and Liu Tingting and Wang Jiani and Li Ziyi and Liu Yongfang and Yang Jingqi and Yang Qinmiao and Luo Yingting},
journal = {Translational Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41398-026-04346-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-026-04346-2},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The gut microbiota dietary index reveals a modifiable diet–depression association varying by BMI and possibly linked to inflammation: a hypothesis-generating modified diet for future intervention research
AU - Lin Kong
AU - Ma Wenyue
AU - Liu Tingting
AU - Wang Jiani
AU - Li Ziyi
AU - Liu Yongfang
AU - Yang Jingqi
AU - Yang Qinmiao
AU - Luo Yingting
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/10
JO - Translational Psychiatry
DO - 10.1038/s41398-026-04346-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-026-04346-2
AB - In the context of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, diet represents a critical yet still debated component of translational psychiatry. However, population-based evidence linking microbiota-supportive dietary patterns to depressive symptoms remains limited. This research leverages the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) to examine the associations between a gut-microbiota-friendly diet and depression, providing a theoretical framework for future research on practical applications. Using data from 28,884 adults, this cross-sectional study evaluated the association between DI-GM and PHQ-9 using survey-compatible descriptive and conventional regression analyses, ordinary-weighted generalized additive models (GAMs), XGBoost with SHAP for exploratory feature ranking, and an exploratory mediation-type analysis of systemic inflammation. Participants with depression had lower DI-GM scores than those without depression. Model-based analyses suggested an inverse predicted pattern between DI-GM and PHQ-9, especially with the interaction GAM indicating significant BMI-related heterogeneity (a more pronounced inverse association at higher BMI). XGBoost with SHAP analyses identified fiber, refined grains, percent energy from fat and whole grains as dietary features with relatively larger contributions to model predictions. Exploratory mediation-type analysis suggested that inflammation may partially explain the DI-GM–PHQ-9 association. However, a high DI-GM diet lacks depression-related nutrients like vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Based on these hypothesis-generating findings, we propose a conceptual framework for a Modified Gut Microbiota-Friendly Diet (MGFD) with high DI-GM score, caloric control, and targeted nutrient supplementation, requiring validation via prospective cohorts, randomized trials, and gut microbiome/metabolomic studies.
SN - 2158-3188
ER -