Research into two-way communication between the digestive system and the nervous system is experiencing a boom in Europe and Spain. In recent months, several lines of work have provided data that connect the intestinal microbiota, metabolites and hormones with mood, cognition and behavior.
Beyond simplistic explanations, recent evidence suggests that lifestyle, diet and exercise They communicate with the brain through specific molecular pathways. Since Spanish cohorts with electroencephalogram From preclinical models in Ireland, the gut-brain axis is confirmed as a key area for understanding mental health and aging.
What is the gut-brain axis and why does it matter?
The gut-brain axis is a communication network involving the central and enteric nervous systems, the immune system, multiple hormones, and the microbiotaThe scientific literature describes mediators such as short chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites and signaling through the vagus nerve, capable of influencing neurotransmitters, inflammation, and stress response.
It is estimated that a substantial part of the body's immunity resides in the intestine and that, from the early stages of life, it is decisive. nutrition, sleep, and stress management daily shape that unique profile of microorganisms that, when unbalanced, can be related to digestive discomfort and changes in the emotional state.
Recent evidence from Europe: diet, exercise, and metabolism
In a study from University College Cork (Ireland), voluntary exercise counteracted depressive-like behaviors in rats fed a “cafeteria diet” high in fat and sugar. The physical intervention selectively modulated the intestinal metabolome and partially restored levels of mood-related compounds such as anserine, indole-3-carboxylate and deoxyinosine.
Plasma hormone analysis showed that the dietary pattern elevated insulin and leptin In sedentary animals, the effect was attenuated by the wheel. Furthermore, adjustments in hormones such as GLP-1 and PYY were observed according to diet and exercise, and robust responses in FGF-21. These endocrine changes, consistent with the behavioral results, suggest that exercise exerts a protective effect through metabolic and intestinal signaling.
In parallel, the authors found that a low-quality diet neutralized the typical increase in hippocampal neurogenesis exercise-induced, suggesting that to obtain full cellular benefits from movement it is important to take care of the nutritional qualityThe peer-reviewed work provides a robust biological framework for optimizing lifestyle interventions.
Spain provides data: microbiota and brain activity in the elderly
A team from the CSIC, in collaboration with IMDEA Food, examined 54 healthy people over 55 years old and found that different microbiota profiles are associated with variations in spontaneous brain activity measured with Resting EEG. Differences appeared in posterior medial cortical regions related to memory, language and emotional processing.
The study suggests that in populations without neurological pathologies, the composition of the microbiome could influence cognitive functions that often deteriorate with age. From a practical perspective, this opens the door to early nutritional interventions aimed at modulating the microbiota with the aim of prevent or mitigate cognitive decline associated with aging.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Towards Personalized Therapies
In Spain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects more than 10% of the population, and knowledge of the microbiome is changing its approach. The use of genomic analysis and artificial intelligence tools allow to characterize bacterial profiles and link them with clinical manifestations, promoting a model of therapeutic personalization.
Lifestyle: Diet, exercise, and sleep as levers
Choosing what we eat well has an impact beyond the digestive: a pattern rich in fiber, fermented foods and omega-3 supports the microbiota and can contribute to emotional stability. On the contrary, ultra-processed foods with poor quality sugars and fats are associated with greater systemic inflammation, an unfavorable context for mood and cognition.
Exercise adds another layer: as the Irish work showed, moving regularly can modulate hormones and metabolites key, even when the diet is not optimal. Added to this are daily habits such as hydration, restful sleep, and stress management, essential for proper intestinal motility and to avoid common problems such as constipation.
The relationship between emotional hunger and mood reminds us that eating is not just about physiology. Practicing conscious and regular eating, with stable schedules and balanced rations, can help buffer anxiety spikes, support microbial diversity and maintain gut-brain communication in good tone.
New lines of research in sight
Metabolomics findings point to specific intestinal compounds with therapeutic interest or as biomarkers risk and response. Metabolites such as anserine or tryptophan derivatives emerge as pieces to watch in translational studies, while neurogenesis and functional connectivity contribute objective windows to measure impact.
Interest is also growing in natural substances rich in polyphenols with the potential to modulate inflammation and microbiota. In preclinical models In neurodegenerative diseases, simultaneous effects have been observed at the gut and brain levels, a line of research that could complement, in the future, strategies focused on the gut-brain axis. As always, robust clinical trials and designs that consider sex, duration and dose to translate these findings into practice.
The picture painted by these studies is converging: the gut and brain maintain a constant dialogue that diet, physical activity, and daily habits can either facilitate or hinder. Boosting nutritional quality, moving regularly, and taking care of sleep and stress levels are emerging as the most realistic way to support a healthy lifestyle. diverse microbiota and a mental health more resilient, while microbiome-based personalization advances in the Spanish healthcare system.