A Scoping Review: Exploring the Synergistic Effects of Exercise and Polyphenol-Rich Diets on Inflammation and the Endocannabinoid System — An Exercise Physiology Perspective

Abstract

Background: In today’s health landscape, chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a silent driver of many long-term diseases, from heart conditions to metabolic disorders. Both regular physical activity and diets rich in plant-based polyphenols—think berries, green tea, and dark chocolate—have shown promise in calming inflammation. New research hints that our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), often called the “inner bliss system,” might help explain how exercise and diet work together to promote health.
Objective: This scoping review aims to map the existing scientific literature on how combining exercise with polyphenol intake influences inflammatory markers and ECS activity, offering a fresh perspective rooted in exercise physiology.
Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched five major databases from their start through December 2023 for studies that looked at exercise and polyphenol interventions together, measuring both inflammation and ECS biomarkers.
Results: Out of 1,950 records, 38 studies met our criteria. Key takeaways include: (1) consistent reductions in inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6; (2) emerging evidence that exercise and polyphenols can boost ECS signaling; (3) very few studies directly connecting all three—exercise, polyphenols, and ECS— in one design; (4) a wide variety in study methods; and (5) proposed pathways that tie movement, food, and our nervous and immune systems together.
Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that moving your body and eating colorful, plant-rich foods may work hand-in-hand to reduce inflammation and fine-tune the ECS. However, more integrated and well controlled studies are needed to uncover the exact mechanisms at play.