NEUROSCIENCE, NUTRITION, AND LEARNING: THE GUT-BRAIN AXIS IN THE SCHOOL CONTEXT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63330/aurumpub.028-046Keywords:
Neuroscience, Gut–brain axis, School learningAbstract
Contemporary neuroscience has highlighted the relevance of nutrition and the gut–brain axis for cognitive development, behavior, and learning processes in the school context. This qualitative article presents a literature review on the interrelations among neuroscience, nutrition, and learning, with a focus on the role of the intestinal microbiota in modulating functions such as attention, memory, and emotional regulation in school-age children. The study was conducted by a group of 12 researchers, composed of professors and nutritionists, organized as a study and research group coordinated by professors Paulina Nunes da Silva and Elberto Teles Ribeiro, who held several meetings to discuss the topic and select the most relevant scientific evidence. The review identified studies indicating that healthy dietary patterns, associated with balanced intestinal microbiota, are related to better cognitive performance and greater engagement in school activities, although important gaps remain regarding the translation of these findings into pedagogical practices and school feeding policies. It is concluded that integrating knowledge on the gut–brain axis, nutrition, and learning can improve interventions in the school environment, requiring further interdisciplinary studies and ongoing training of education and health professionals.
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