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

Abstract

Scope: To 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 results: The 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 × 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 α-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.

Conclusion: The 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.

Keywords: executive function; fiber-rich diet; gut microbiota; memory; rope skipping.