EC Nutrition

Research Article Volume 21 Issue 2 - 2026

Nutrition-Gut Microbiota Interactions During Adolescence: Hormonal, Metabolic, Immune, and Neuropsychological Bidirectional Pathways

Vicente Manuel Martínez Cardenas*1 and Vivian R. Mena Miranda2

1Children’s Medical Center, Lake City, Florida, USA 2Hospital Pediátrico Universitario Centro Habana, Habana, Cuba

*Corresponding Author: Vicente Manuel Martínez Cardenas, Children’s Medical Center, Lake City, Florida, USA.
Received: January 09, 2026; Published: January 27, 2026



Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by profound hormonal, metabolic, immunological, and neuropsychological changes. During this period, the gut microbiota undergoes maturation toward an adult-like configuration while remaining highly plastic and sensitive to environmental influences, particularly nutrition. Increasing evidence suggests that bidirectional interactions between diet, pubertal hormones, and the gut microbiota play a key role in shaping long-term health outcomes.

Objective: To synthesize current evidence on the interactions between nutrition and gut microbiota during adolescence and to analyze their implications for metabolic regulation, immune homeostasis, and neuropsychological development.

Methods: An integrative review with systematic search and qualitative synthesis (PRISMA 2020-guided reporting was conducted using peer-reviewed human studies and mechanistic reviews indexed in PubMed and PubMed Central. Articles addressing gut microbiota composition, pubertal hormonal changes, dietary factors, microbial metabolites, immune maturation, and gut-brain axis signaling during adolescence were included.

Results: Available evidence indicates that pubertal progression is associated with sex-specific remodeling of the gut microbiota. Nutritional patterns strongly influence microbial diversity and metabolic function, particularly through the production of short-chain fatty acids and modulation of bile acid metabolism. These microbial signals interact with host endocrine pathways, immune maturation, intestinal barrier integrity, and stress-related neurobiological processes. Dysbiosis during adolescence has been linked to increased susceptibility to metabolic disturbances, low-grade inflammation, and neuropsychological vulnerability.

Conclusion: Adolescence represents a window of opportunity for microbiota-targeted nutritional interventions. Promoting healthy dietary patterns during this stage may support optimal microbiota maturation and contribute to the prevention of metabolic, immune, and mental health disorders later in life.

 Keywords: Nutrition-Gut Microbiota Interactions; Adolescence; Neuropsychological Bidirectional Pathways

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Vicente Manuel Martínez Cardenas and Vivian R. Mena Miranda. “Nutrition-Gut Microbiota Interactions During Adolescence: Hormonal, Metabolic, Immune, and Neuropsychological Bidirectional Pathways”. EC Nutrition  21.2 (2026): 01-14.

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