Exercise, Diet, and Brain Health: From the Perspective of Gut Microbiota Regulation

The existing body of evidence has highlighted gut microbiota as a versatile regulator of body wellness affecting not only multiple physiological metabolisms but also the function of remote organs. Emerging studies revealed a reciprocal relationship between physical exercise and intestinal microbiota, suggesting that physical exercise could enhance gut health, including regulating intestinal barrier integrity, increasing microbial diversity, and promoting beneficial microbial metabolism. Furthermore, the beneficial outcomes of exercise on the intestine may also promote brain health through the gut-brain axis. Diet is an important factor in boosting exercise performance and also greatly impacts the structure of gut microbiota. Abundant research has reported that diet alongside exercise could exert beneficial effects on metabolism, immune regulation, and the neuropsychiatric system. In this paper, we used a narrative review, primarily searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Elsevier, to review the existing research on how moderate-intensity exercise promotes gut health, and we introduced the effects of exercise on the nervous system through the gut-brain axis. We also proposed dietary strategies targeting the regulation of gut microbiota to provide guidelines for boosting brain health. This review highlights that moderate exercise and a healthy diet promote gut and brain health.