Influence of Dietary Compounds, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Physical Activity on the Gut Microbiome and Its Functional Roles

Research within the field of gut microbiome science has emphasized the dynamic interplay between diet, lifestyle, and the composition and function of intestinal microbes. Contemporary investigations reveal that specific dietary components such as fibers, polyphenols, and fermented foods are instrumental in shaping the diversity and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. These interactions not only influence digestive and immunological health but also extend to broader physiological domains, including metabolic regulation and cognitive well-being. In parallel, emerging evidence highlights how physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep patterns, and integrated lifestyle interventions modulate gut microbial structure and function, contributing to systemic adaptations relevant to chronic disease prevention and overall health. While ongoing studies highlight the considerable impact of these nutrients and lifestyle habits on gut microbial ecology, several areas remain underexplored. Specifically, the mechanistic pathways linking precise dietary ingredients and individual lifestyle factors to discrete microbial taxa and their metabolic functions are not yet fully delineated, underscoring a pressing need for further research in this vital area.

This Research Topic aims to elucidate how defined dietary elements—particularly fibers, polyphenols, and fermented foods—alongside crucial lifestyle variables influence gut microbial diversity and function. A core objective is to unravel the biological mechanisms and causal relationships underlying these associations, and to determine how such modulation translates into measurable health benefits. The Topic also welcomes contributions exploring the synergistic impact of combined nutritional and physical activity interventions, the role of adapted exercise approaches in shaping the microbiome in vulnerable or clinical populations, and the implications for metabolic, immune, and cognitive health. It also seeks to integrate findings that delineate the synergistic or antagonistic roles of multiple dietary and lifestyle interventions on shaping the microbiome, ultimately supporting the development of potent evidence-based nutritional and behavioral strategies for microbiome optimization.

To gather further insights into this area, this Research Topic will encompass research focused within the boundaries of dietary components, fermented foods, and lifestyle factors as modulators of gut microbiota, excluding wider environmental or pharmacological influences. Mechanistic, translational, interventional, cross-sectional, and longitudinal designs are all welcome, particularly those integrating nutritional science, exercise science, and lifestyle medicine perspectives.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microbiome, diet, bioactive compounds, health, gut health

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.