Eubiosis

Eubiosis is a term used to describe a state of balance and harmony in the composition and function of microbes inhabiting a particular environment, such as skin, gut, or vagina. In the gut, for instance, eubiosis is characterized by beneficial microbes such as Bifidobacterium, lactic acid bacteria, or probiotics that produce beneficial components (such as SCFAs or vitamins) to support gut and overall health. In a eubiotic state, beneficial bacteria outnumber harmful microbes (Gagliardi et al., 2018).

In nutritional psychology, eubiosis is relevant because the gut microbiome interacts with dietary components and participates in processes that can influence physiological systems connected with mental well-being. Microbes ferment certain dietary fibers and resistant starches to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These metabolites contribute to intestinal and metabolic functions and can participate in communication between the gut and other body systems.

Importantly, eubiosis does not represent one identical microbial composition shared by everyone. Individual microbiomes differ considerably, so researchers increasingly consider microbial function, diversity, and interactions with the host when evaluating gut health.