Abstract/Summary

Active military personnel are often subject to extreme stressors, whether psychological or physical. Such stressors often result in soldiers having severe gastrointestinal diseases and cognitive perturbations such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Whilst pharmaceutical treatments are available, they are not always the most viable option, either because of poor efficacy, side effects, availability or economic detriment. By exploring the potential of beneficial nutritional interventions, it may be possible to establish whether the increased intake of certain nutraceuticals (such as polyphenols and prebiotics) could improve psychological and gut health in combat soldiers, and reduce the effects that PTSD and related gastrointestinal issues have on health and wellbeing. This report investigates the link between prebiotics, polyphenols and cognitive and gastrointestinal health.