Effect of Fiber-Rich Diet and Rope Skipping on Memory, Executive Function, and Gut Microbiota in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ScopeTo investigate the effects of fiber-rich diets (FDs), rope skipping (RS), and the combination of these two interventions (fiber-rich diet with rope skipping [FD-RS]) on memory, executive function in young adults, and to explore their relationship with gut microbiota.Materials and resultsThe study is a 12-week parallel-design randomized controlled trial in which 120 undergraduates (19 +/- 1 years) are randomized to FD (fiber >= 20 g day-1), RS (3 x 2000 times per week), FD-RS or control group (n = 30 per group). Memory and executive function are assessed by scales, and stool samples are collected at baseline and after the intervention. FD group and FD-RS group show fewer prospective and retrospective subjective memory impairments than the control group, but there is no significant difference between FD-RS and the intervention alone (FD or RS). No obvious change in executive function is observed throughout the trial. In terms of the gut microbiota, the alpha-diversity does not increase, but the microbial community evenness improves after the RS and FD intervention. Additionally, the relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes and genera Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group in the RS group and NK4A214_group in the FD group significantly increase. In the RS group, a correlation is found between the increase in microbial evenness and the improvement in retrospective memory.ConclusionThe FD and FD-RS have beneficial effects on memory in young adults. Meanwhile, FD and RS can improve the microbial evenness and increase several beneficial genera of phylum Firmicutes. Enhancing or preserving memory and executive function early is vital for people's life. Whether a fiber-rich diet (FD) and exercise could enhance brain function through the gut microbiota in young adults remains unclear. This 12-week randomized controlled trial provides robust empirical support that an FD alone or in combination with rope skipping promotes memory in young adults. In addition, new evidence from human trial has been contributed for the potential role of the gut microbiota in this process.image