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Exercise modulates food reward: neurobiological mechanisms and implications for weight management
Understanding the relationship between physical activity and dietary choices is essential, particularly given that the benefits of exercise for weight management extend beyond mere calorie expenditure. This review employs the concept of food reward, which includes both the hedonic aspect of ‘liking’ food and the motivational aspect of ‘wanting’ food, to explain variations in weight outcomes associated with physical exercise.
The literature was thoroughly examined using several databases, including EBSCO, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science Core Collection, through April 2026. The inquiry followed a structured approach focusing on three fundamental areas: exercise, food reward, and potential mechanisms, using Boolean operators for efficient data retrieval. The methodology adhered to SANRA principles, ensuring the quality of the narrative review.
Acute exercise has been shown to momentarily shift the reward value assigned to energy-dense foods. However, the extent and nature of this change depend on various factors, including the intensity and type of exercise, the timing of the activity, and individual characteristics such as body composition and meal-related conditions. In contrast, engaging in regular exercise may lead to lasting changes in eating behaviors, ultimately fostering a shift towards healthier dietary choices.
Several candidate mechanisms underpin these effects, including alterations in mesolimbic dopamine pathways, μ-opioid signaling, insulin pathways, glucagon-like peptide-1 signaling, gut–brain vagal communication, the endocannabinoid system, and stress-responsive neural circuits. Notably, exercise might mitigate diet-induced dysfunctions in reward processing, leading some individuals to prefer healthier food options.
Despite these insights, the existing literature exhibits significant variability due to differences in study populations, exercise protocols, and the reward dimensions assessed. Gaining a more nuanced understanding of these interrelated mechanisms could enhance the development of exercise-based nutrition strategies aimed at improving appetite control, fostering dietary adherence, and supporting sustained weight management. [NPID: Energy-dense foods, dietary choices, liking, wanting, weight management]
Year: 2026
