Intense exercise reshapes gut microbiome
Intense training boosts gut health by increasing beneficial bacteria and frequent bowel movements.
Why it matters
- Exercise intensity reshapes gut microbiome.
- Gut health is linked to overall health.
By the numbers
- 23 high-performance rowers studied.
- Butyrate levels rose from 64 mmol/L to 105 mmol/L during intense training.
- 92% of rowers had bowel movements within a 24-hour window during intense training.
The big picture
- Intense exercise increases beneficial gut bacteria.
- Diet and bowel movement frequency also affect gut microbiome.
What they're saying
- Some commenters note diet and transit time could be major confounders.
- Physical motion of rowing might also affect bowel movements.
Caveats
- Study involved only 23 high-performance rowers.
- Diet and transit time changes could influence results.
What’s next
- More research needed to understand how exercise interacts with gut microbiome.
- Potential for tailored exercise programs to improve gut health.