It might sound surprising, but your gut and your brain are in constant communication. This connection — known as the gut-brain axis — is one of the most exciting areas in brain health research today.
Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that help digest food, regulate inflammation, and even produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, which affects mood and cognition.¹ These microbes can influence brain function through chemical signaling, immune responses, and even direct neural pathways.
Recent studies suggest that a healthy, diverse gut microbiome may be linked to better memory, mood regulation, and lower risk of cognitive decline.² On the flip side, poor gut health — often caused by processed foods, chronic stress, or antibiotic overuse — has been associated with inflammation that can negatively impact the brain.³
What helps? A fiber-rich, plant-forward diet that includes fermented foods (like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi) supports gut diversity. Foods high in prebiotics — such as garlic, onions, and bananas — feed the good bacteria.
While the science is still evolving, one thing is clear: your gut and brain are a team. Take care of one, and you support the other.
Sources:
- Mayer, E. A., et al. (2015). Gut microbes and the brain: paradigm shift in neuroscience. Journal of Neuroscience.
- Mohajeri, M. H., et al. (2018). The role of the microbiome in neurodegenerative diseases. Nature Reviews Neurology.
- Cryan, J. F., et al. (2019). The microbiota-gut-brain axis: from bowel to behavior. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
Keeping Sharp 
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