Functional Foods and Technology-Driven Solutions for Gut-Brain Axis Modulation in Climate-Driven Stress

The gut-brain axis links gut microbiota to brain function, regulating stress, mood, and cognition via microbial metabolites, neural signaling, and immune pathways. Climate change exacerbates stressors like food insecurity, heat stress, and migration, disrupting microbial balance and worsening mental health and nutritional deficits. This narrative review synthesizes ۸۰ peer-reviewed studies (۲۰۱۰-۲۰۲۵) to evaluate how functional foods- probiotics, prebiotics, omega-۳ fatty acids, and polyphenols-mitigate these challenges, emphasizing scalable, technology-driven solutions in the food industry. Key mechanisms include short-chain fatty acid production, inflammation reduction, and neurotransmitter modulation. Innovations such as ۳D-printed probiotic snacks, microencapsulated probiotics, algae-derived omega-۳ supplements, and solar-powered processing enhance nutritional resilience in regions including East Africa, South Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, Scandinavia, and North America. Clinical trials demonstrate that probiotics improve mood, while omega-۳s reduce neuroinflammation. Blockchain ensures transparent supply chains, though costs and cultural barriers persist. Community engagement and public-private partnerships, supported by regulatory frameworks, promote equitable access. The food industry's adoption of advanced technologies strengthens mental and nutritional health in climate-vulnerable populations, supporting global food security goals.

Keywords:

Gut-brain axis , functional foods , climate change , nutritional resilience , stress , microbiome , mental health , food industry , sustainability , ۳D printing , microencapsulation