The Gut Microbiota as a Link Between Diet and Sleep: A Narrative Review.

Over the recent years, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the tight relationship between dietary intake and patterns and the gut microbiota, as well as the strong link between the gut microbiota and sleep. Sleep initiation and maintenance are in fact regulated not only by the central nervous system but also by signals from peripheral tissues, among which the microbiota–gut–brain axis represents one of the principal pathways. In this complex scenario, it can be hypothesized that the gut microbiota may play a driving role in conveying dietary influences on sleep regulation. This narrative review explores the evidence supporting this hypothesis and discusses potential non–pharmacological intervention strategies to improve the gut microbiota and sleep quality.