Global Research Landscape and Evidence Gaps in Diet-Gut Microbiota Science:A Bibliometric and Integrated Data Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63174/xdi.IISW5171Keywords:
Gut Microbiota, Bibliometric Analysis, Dietary Patterns, Evidence InequalityAbstract
Abstract
Background: Dietary pattern-gut microbiota research has expanded rapidly over the past decade, driven by growing recognition of the gut microbiota as a key biological mediator linking diet to health. While substantial evidence has accumulated, the overall structure, balance, and global distribution of this evidence particularly its alignment with nutritional needs and progression toward mechanistic understanding remain insufficiently examined.
Methods: We conducted a multi-level bibliometric and data-integrated analysis of dietary pattern-gut microbiota research published between 2010 and 2025 using the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric indicators were combined with external measures of nutritional burden and data infrastructure to assess research output, collaboration patterns, thematic evolution, evidence depth, and cross-country evidence inequality. A composite Evidence Inequality Index and a joint growth citation framework were used to identify structural imbalances and emerging research gaps.
Results: Annual publication output increased markedly over time, with a transition from exploratory growth to rapid expansion after 2018. Research activity and collaboration networks were highly centralized, with output concentrated in a small number of high-income countries and institutions. Globally, research output showed weak alignment with nutritional burden, with countries facing high undernutrition frequently under-represented in the literature. Evidence depth varied substantially even among countries with similar publication volume, reflecting uneven progression toward mechanistic and data-intensive research. Thematic analyses revealed stable core research areas alongside rapidly expanding topics characterized by limited citation consolidation, indicating transitional stages of evidence development rather than mature research cores.
Conclusions: Dietary pattern-gut microbiota research is structurally imbalanced in relation to nutritional need, evidence depth, and thematic maturity. The proposed framework provides a basis for prioritizing more equitable and impactful research directions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ying Liu, Han Qiao, Guixiang Yao (Author)
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