Project

Call for Partners | Food4Mood: Modulation of the gut-brain axis to improve mental health

The prevalence of mental problems among young adults is high (10-25%). Cohort studies show a link between the gut microbiome and quality of life, mood, anxiety and depression. In addition, scientific literature shows that mental health can be promoted through dietary interventions (e.g. use of pre- and probiotics), aimed at positively changing the gut microbiome. However, sustainable behavior changes in diet and lifestyle appear to be difficult for consumers. VU Amsterdam and WFBR are collaborating together to investigate how the gut-brain axis can be modulated by a change in diet and/or specific supplements to improve mental health.

A citizen science approach

In the Food4Mood project, an 8-week clinical study will be conducted among approximately 150 young adults with mental problems, including depressive complaints, anxiety and stress. The aim of the study is to investigate whether we can positively change the gut microbiome via multiple strategies of a (personalized) dietary intervention focused on the consumption of more dietary fibers, in combination with an additional gut-brain boost with supplements (e.g. pre-, pro- postbiotics) and thereby reduce mental complaints. The intervention aims to achieve sustainable/long-term behavioral change.

In addition to well-conducted scientific research into the effectiveness of dietary interventions on the gut microbiome, eating behavior and mental well-being, communication with consumers and health professionals is an essential part of this project.

Partners

We are looking for partners that can provide tools / products to stimulate consumers to eat more dietary fibers or partners that can provide supplements that boost the gut-brain access to additionally support mental health via the gut microbiome.

With ~4 partners, each partner contributes 25-30k€ in cash per year and 10-15k€ in-kind per year*​

*For e.g. Small start-ups and dissemination partners, a different contribution can be discussed​