Gut Microbiome Composition and Food Insecurity Linked to Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Adults
A groundbreaking new study led in part by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in collaboration with the University of Iowa, has unveiled compelling evidence linking the composition of the gut microbiome to the risk of cognitive impairment (RCI) in adults. This research uniquely highlights the complex interplay between biological factors and social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, and their combined influence on brain health. Published in npj Aging, this epidemiological investigation is the first of its kind to explore how food insecurity may modify the relationship between gut microbial communities and cognitive function decline.
The gut microbiome—a vast ecosystem composed of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms—plays a crucial role in human metabolism, immune regulation, and neurological health through the gut-brain axis. While previous work has documented associations between microbiota diversity and neurodegenerative diseases, this study delves deeper, exploring the nuanced ways in which external social factors like access to adequate nutrition may shape microbiome profiles and subsequent cognitive outcomes.
Central to the findings is the demonstration that adults exhibiting lower microbial diversity along with distinct imbalances in specific bacterial taxa show markedly increased susceptibility to cognitive impairment. These associations were further complicated by individuals’ food security status. Food insecurity, characterized by limited or uncertain access to sufficient and nutritious food, independently correlated with both reduced gut microbial health and poorer cognitive performance, suggesting a bidirectional relationship where social and biological stressors exacerbate each other.
Dr. Shoshannah Eggers, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa and lead corresponding author, emphasized the rising prevalence of food insecurity in the United States, noting that over 12 percent of households endured food scarcity in 2022—a significant jump from 10.2 percent in the prior year. “Food insecurity is consistently linked to a spectrum of adverse health outcomes, including neurological dysfunction,” Dr. Eggers stated, highlighting the need to examine how such social determinants intersect with biological markers to influence cognition.
The research team evaluated data from 360 adult participants enrolled in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, incorporating comprehensive measures of food insecurity, cognitive function, and gut microbiome composition via 16S rRNA sequencing. This genomic technique enables high-resolution identification of bacterial taxa present in stool samples, permitting precise mapping of microbial community structures and their potential functional implications.
To unravel the complex bacterial networks associated with cognitive impairment, investigators employed an interpretable machine learning algorithm capable not only of predictive classification but also of offering transparency into the microbial features driving those predictions. This analytical approach identified “microbial cliques”—small, interconnected groups of bacterial genera—that significantly associate with RCI, revealing distinctive patterns contingent on whether individuals were food-secure or food-insecure.
Specifically, a microbial clique characterized by the presence of Eisenbergiella or Eubacterium showed a significantly stronger association with cognitive impairment among those experiencing food insecurity. Conversely, a clique dominated by Ruminococcus torques, Bacteroides, CAG-352F, and/or Eubacterium exhibited a more pronounced link with RCI in the food-secure group. This striking differential suggests that food security status modulates the microbial contributions to brain health, potentially altering the pathways through which gut bacteria influence neurodegeneration.
The implications of these observations are profound, especially considering the rising age demographics globally and the parallel surge in cognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Vishal Midya, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine at Mount Sinai and senior study author, underscored the importance of integrating social determinants like food insecurity into models of cognitive decline. “Our findings point to food insecurity as a biological factor, not merely socioeconomic—it may influence brain health through microbiome alterations,” Dr. Midya remarked.
This research signals a paradigm shift toward more holistic approaches in public health and medical intervention. Addressing nutrition access alone may be insufficient; simultaneously targeting gut microbiome health through dietary modulation or microbiome-based therapies could amplify preventive and therapeutic effects. Tailoring microbiome interventions according to food security status might optimize treatment efficacy, particularly in vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by both food scarcity and cognitive impairment.
Furthermore, the study’s use of machine learning techniques exemplifies the growing role of artificial intelligence in unraveling multifactorial biological systems. By illuminating microbial cliques rather than isolated taxa, researchers can better understand microbial community dynamics and their systemic impact on host physiology, fostering more targeted research and novel avenues for intervention.
Given these insights, the authors advocate for integrated public health strategies that concurrently address nutritional equity and gut microbial wellness. Future longitudinal studies and clinical trials should explore the causal mechanisms underpinning these associations and evaluate microbiome-centered interventions in conjunction with social support measures.
Supported by grant funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, this study represents a critical advance in aging and neuroepidemiology research. Its interdisciplinary scope—from microbial ecology and neurology to social epidemiology—underscores the need for multifaceted solutions to combat the accelerating global burden of cognitive decline.
As cognitive impairment continues to affect millions worldwide and strain healthcare systems, the identification of modifiable environmental and biological risk factors holds promise for devising preventative strategies that are both scientifically informed and socially equitable. This research opens a new frontier where the microscopic inhabitants of our gut converge with the macroscopic realities of food access, jointly shaping the destiny of the aging brain.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Gut Microbiome Composition and Food Insecurity Linked to Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Adults
News Publication Date: 18-Jun-2025
Web References: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-025-00241-0
References: 10.1038/s41514-025-00241-0
Keywords: Gut microbiota, Cognitive disorders, Cognition, Food security
