Dietary Plant Hormone and Mental Health

The gut-microbiota-brain (GMB) axis has a multidirectional communication between the intestine, the microbiota, and the central nervous system (CNS). Over the past decade, there has been extensive research showing that the GMB axis has a profound influence not only on neurological disorders but also on neural development, activation of the neuroendocrine axis and neurotransmission, as well as modulation of complex human behaviors. Thus, the GBM-axis is involved in the regulation of stress, emotions, behaviour, and higher cognitive functions. As the GMB plays an essential role in human psychological functioning and mental health, the dietary manipulation of the microbiome may have direct effects on mental well-being, sleep, anxiety and depressive symptoms.