The NHS, the media, your friends and family; everyone is keen to tell you that exercise is good for you. This blog is a little more specific. Did you know that as well as the obvious benefits of exercising regularly this type of activity may also boost your gut health?
Studies from Ireland that have recently been released have reported that exercising effectively and regularly help to increase and support the diversity of your good bacteria naturally.
Why is Good Gut Health Important?
Increasing our levels of good bacteria is important. These good bacteria, otherwise referred to as microbiota, found in your intestines are responsible for encouraging a good level of digestive health amongst other benefits.
These microbiota also help with your metabolism and your immune system and therefore when your good bacteria levels are down your health is likely to suffer. Research proves that there is a direct link between low levels of good bacteria and higher risk levels of contracting diabetes type 2 and a number of other gastrointestinal issues.
Increasing Good Gut Health
The key is in the balance. Those with a poor mix of bacteria types are generally speaking those with an unhealthy diet. Improving your diet is an obvious choice when it comes to combating this.
Until recently it was assumed that the only way to increase your wellbeing via your gut health was through diet alone. Research now shows that exercise also plays an important part, encouraging the diversity of the bacteria found in your gut.
The previously mentioned study showed that athletes (so those exercising regularly) had a higher level and more diverse range of good bacteria in their gut. The next group down on the scale were men with lower BMI readings (Body Mass Index) and those with the lowest level of good bacteria were men who were inactive and had the highest BMI readings of those examined. Additionally the athletic case study members were also found to have higher levels of a bacteria called Akkermansiaceae which is linked to protecting the body from obesity and a number of metabolic conditions.
In Summary
Research is on-going although common sense backs up the assumption that those leading a healthier, more active lifestyle will overall have the better digestive health thanks to their increased good bacteria. The key to achieve this is to balance exercise and a nutritionally sound diet.