In a large human study she found that both gut microbiome composition and diversity were related to differences in personality, including sociability and neuroticism.
She said: 'There has been growing research linking the gut microbiome to the brain and behaviour, known as the microbiome–gut–brain axis.
Most research has been conducted in animals, whilst studies in humans have focused on the role of the gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric conditions.
Previous studies have linked the gut microbiome to autism (a condition characterised by impaired social behaviour).
More adventurous eaters had a more diverse gut microbiome whilst those on a dairy-free diet had lower diversity.
All these factors can influence the gut microbiome and so may be affecting our behaviour and psychological well-being in currently unknown ways.'.
The full paper 'Gut microbiome composition and diversity are related to human personality traits' can be read in the journal Human Microbiome. »