Probiotics: Bridging the interplay of a healthy gut and psychoneurological well-being

The establishment of a healthy microbiota, particularly during infancy, profoundly influences psychological health and neurological function through the gut-brain axis. This review delves into the intricate connections between probiotics, gut microbiome development, and their impact on neurological disorders. Biotics, live microorganisms with proven health benefits, have emerged as a promising intervention, particularly during critical developmental stages. Administering specific probiotic strains (Lactobacillus species and Bifidobacterium) in infancy has shown promise in preventing and alleviating gut disorders, with implications for psychological well-being. The bidirectional communication along the gut-brain axis underscores the potential of probiotics in influencing neurological outcomes, ranging from anxiety to neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, this review explores emerging food engineering techniques (microencapsulation, genome editing, fermentation, protein engineering, immobilization, etc.) employed in preparing probiotic-based foods, ensuring the viability and targeted release of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.