Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is in close communication with our immune and central nervous systems. Therefore, unravelling the effect of diet, exercise, stress and other lifestyle factors on the gut microbiome could have wide-reaching consequences and is a major priority for the field.
Although the mechanisms remain largely unknown, certain diets and activity levels have been correlated with different microbial composition and diversity. By understanding how gut microbes and their metabolites influence our susceptibility to various diseases, we could develop strategies to optimise our health.