The gut-brain axis and anxiety: investigating associations with diet, vigorous activity, and prior adversity

The current study investigated associations between different stressors (e.g., poor diet, vigorous activity, and prior adversity), GI symptoms, and anxiety.

We collected survey data from a sample of university students and community participants (N = 209).

Key findings included: (a) vigorous activity was a significant moderator of the relationship between stress and GI symptoms; (b) GI symptoms significantly mediated the relationships between stress and anxiety and prior adversity and anxiety; (c) stress and GI symptoms were significant serial mediators of the relationships between diet quality and anxiety and prior adversity and anxiety.

Our findings suggest that factors such as adversity, diet, and physical activity levels should be considered when examining gut-brain relations specific to stress, anxiety, and GI symptoms. Future research should investigate the directionality of these relationships more clearly through longitudinal and experimental study designs.