Influence of dietary patterns on gut microbiota metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Adherence to balanced dietary principles as part of a healthy lifestyle is of increasing importance. The wide range of dietary patterns offers considerable flexibility, enabling individualized dietary approaches. Of particular interest is the effect of different dietary patterns on gut microbiota (GM) metabolism and the potential to apply these insights to optimize the management of metabolic disorders, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective: To evaluate the effects of various dietary patterns on GM metabolism in patients with T2DM. Key points. This review is based on contemporary literature retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and eLibrary. It addresses both therapeutic diets aimed at secondary prevention and reduction of complication risk, as well as widely adopted dietary patterns in the general population used for health promotion. Diets with limited evidence and questionable benefits are also discussed. The effects of dietary patterns on GM metabolism in T2DM are examined in terms of predominant and restricted dietary components, with particular attention to their impact on glycemic control, lipid profile, body weight, cardiovascular status, and key pathogenic pathways of T2DM. Conclusion: Currently, there is no consensus on dietary recommendations for T2DM, which limits their clinical applicability. A better understanding of diet–GM interactions may support the development of personalized nutritional strategies for patients with T2DM.