Diet as Regulator of Gut Microbiota and its Role in Health and Disease.

In recent years, the gut microbiota has been of great interest due to its role in maintaining health and its association with the development of different diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The objective of the present review is to show the main functions of the gut microbiota, the role in the degradation of complex carbohydrates particularly soluble fiber, resistant starches and bioactive compounds particularly polyphenols. In addition, the review will focus on the nutrient-gut microbiota interaction and its role on the development of dysbiosis (imbalance) and low-grade inflammation during the obesity and type 2 diabetes. Finally, several strategies using prebiotics will be discussed to reduce the gut microbiota dysbiosis, and to improve some biochemical abnormalities during obesity and type 2 diabetes.