The relationship between the gut, the microbiome and the brain is the focus of a new piece published by the Portuguese outlet Observador, under the title "Gut, microbiome and brain: what to eat to feel well". The article appears in the publication's "Manual de Instruções para Humanos" (Instruction Manual for Humans) series, dated 1 November 2026.
According to the article's framing, emotional hunger is a real phenomenon and one that has a scientific explanation. The piece also draws a distinction on the question of cause and effect: diet does not by itself cause depression, but the way people eat can influence the intestinal microbiome, inflammation and metabolism.
That distinction underpins the article's approach, which centres on the gut-brain relationship and on dietary patterns rather than on any single food or nutrient. The piece is presented around the question of what to eat in order to feel well, tying everyday eating habits to the composition and behaviour of the gut microbiome and to inflammatory and metabolic processes.
The full text is published by Observador on its website.
Sources: Observador.