How Diet and Physical Activity Modulate Gut Microbiota: Evidence, and Perspectives

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 14; no. 12; p. 2456
• Main Authors: Campaniello, Daniela, Corbo, Maria Rosaria, Sinigaglia, Milena, Speranza, Barbara, Racioppo, Angela, Altieri, Clelia, Bevilacqua, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-06-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Carbohydrates; Dairy products; Diet; Digestive organs; endurance fitness; Exercise; Fatty acids; Food; Gluten; gut microbiota; Health aspects; Homeostasis; Immunological diseases; Immunology; Intestinal microflora; ketogenic diet; Lifestyles; Meat; Mediterranean diet; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microorganisms; Physical activity; physical exercise; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Physiological effects; Population; Review; Special diets; Veganism; Vegetarian diet; Italy; United States > US
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14122456

Gut microbiota plays a significant role in the maintenance of physiological homeostasis, contributing to human health. Nevertheless, some factors (sex, age, lifestyle, physical activity, drug-based therapies, diet, etc.) affect its composition and functionality, linked to pathologies and immunological diseases. Concerning diet, it interacts with microorganisms, leading to beneficial or detrimental outcomes for the health of host. On the other hand, physical activity is known to be useful for preventing and, sometimes, treating several diseases of cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, respiratory, and muscular systems. This paper focuses on diet and physical activity presenting the current knowledge about how different diets (Western, ketogenic, vegan, gluten free, Mediterranean) as well as different types of exercise (intensive, endurance, aerobic) could shape gut microbiota.