The prevalence of poor diet quality and emotional dysregulation, one of the most common transdiagnostic symptoms across psychiatric disorders, is a rising concern within the young adult population. Growing evidence suggests both factors play a role in shaping gut health via the gut-brain axis and vagus nerve signaling. Diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and low in nutrient-dense foods have been associated with shifts in gut microbiota profile that may activate inflammatory pathways, contribute to dysbiosis, and modulate cognitive and behavioral functioning. However, there is a notable gap in the understanding of how diet quality and emotional dysregulation correlate with gut health in young adults. To address this gap, this study employed an anonymous online survey distributed to adults aged 18 and older, which included demographic questions and the following four validated measures: the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants, Shortened Version, v.2 (REAP-S v.2), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Dysbiosis Risk Questionnaire (Dys-R). A total of 1,313 participants completed the questionnaire. This study examined results from the 1,072 participants characterised as young adults (18-29). Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in IBM SPSS Version 28.0. Results showed that young adults who consumed UPFs more than three times per week had significantly higher dysbiosis risk scores and were more likely to follow a Western dietary pattern (p< 0.01). A higher intake of sugary beverages, processed sweets, and packaged snack foods was also associated with increased dysbiosis risk scores (p< 0.01). In contrast, consuming fish or shellfish, whole grains, and high-fiber foods more than twice per week was significantly associated with a lower gut dysbiosis risk (p< 0.01). Higher dysbiosis risk scores were negatively correlated with overall healthy eating patterns, suggesting that nutrient-dense diets play a protective role in supporting gut health. Emotional dysregulation showed parallel trends. Higher dysbiosis risk was positively correlated with multiple DERS-SF domains, including non-acceptance of emotions, difficulties with impulse control, reduced emotional clarity, and lower emotional awareness (p< 0.01). UPF consumption was positively correlated with all six DERS-SF subscales (p< 0.01), suggesting that greater emotional dysregulation may be linked to more frequent UPF intake, which is itself strongly associated with a higher risk of dysbiosis. These findings emphasize the interconnected nature of diet quality, emotional functioning, and gut health in young adults. Diets high in UPFs appear to align with both elevated emotional dysregulation and increased dysbiosis risk, while nutrient-dense foods show the opposite trend. Given the central role of the gut-brain axis in coordinating cognitive and emotional processes, disruptions in gut health may further exacerbate difficulties in emotion regulation. Understanding these relationships is essential for developing holistic health strategies that promote both healthy eating behaviors and emotional stability, ultimately supporting improved well-being during a critical developmental stage. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.
Khan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.