As is already known, sport brings many benefits . It de-stresses us, strengthens brain activity and body muscles, and helps us maintain a healthy weight. Recently, new research has shown that physical exercise can also improve gut health . At first it is possible that these data surprise, and a lot. But, for you to understand this relationship, we are going to explain the data that have led scientists to this result.
What is the microbiota?
To understand the research carried out, the first thing we must be clear about is the concept of the microbiota. It is the set of living microorganisms that live in the digestive system, both in people and in animals . Most of these bacteria are not harmful, quite the opposite: they benefit the body in a multitude of physiological processes.
So much so that the intestinal microbiota has come to be considered a “ metabolic organ ” with functions in systemic inflammation, nutrition and the regulation of immunity. One third of the gut microbiota is the same in most people, but the remaining two are specific to each individual. In this way, it is a personal identity.
Microbiota and diseases
If the microbiota is disrupted, an imbalance can occur between the number of harmful and beneficial organisms . Therefore, chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity or an inflammatory bowel disease could occur.
However, it has come to be thought that increased hygiene, sedentary lifestyles, dietary modifications, and increased consumption of antibiotics have influenced changes in the intestinal microbiota .
Physical exercise can improve gut health
So far it had been shown that obesity was totally linked to the intestinal microbiota . What's more, there is the term infectobesity . This refers to the fact that having a low amount of bacteria in the digestive system causes weight gain. Therefore, this investigation was carried out.
In order to discover the type of bacteria found in the intestines , both blood and fecal remains of dozens of professional rugby players have been studied together with those of normal people who were the same age and the same body features as these last. Likewise, to individualize the results, the diet followed by each of them was analyzed.
Data results
After the study, it was shown that professional athletes had more intestinal bacteria and more varied among themselves. This result was even more evident with a species of bacteria belonging to the genus Akkermansia . This is associated with lower rates of obesity. In short, it was concluded that physical exercise can improve intestinal health , since there is a very important relationship between the microbiota, the person's immunity and metabolism.
Sport and chronic diseases
In addition to all of the above, it is noteworthy that the effects of sport are not focused solely on increasing diversity. Thus, it has become evident that exercise multiplies antioxidant enzymes and decreases the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in intestinal lymphocytes. Likewise, it reduces inflammatory mediators .
Likewise, physical activity can regulate firm-binding proteins, increase butyrate production, and prevent morphological changes in intestinal villi .
In short, over the last twenty years it has been possible to conclude the influence of exercise on various chronic diseases . In such a way that, on many occasions, it is used as a treatment.
Diet, exercise and microbial diversity
As we have already seen, sport increases microbial diversity regardless of the diet that is followed. Furthermore, it is necessary to point out that the changes it produces are most important in childhood . In this way, experts advise that this data be taken into account as soon as possible in order to strengthen the body from the beginning.
On the other hand, the intensity at which we can carry out one exercise or another may be influenced by the presence of a diverse microbiota . Likewise, it has been concluded that diets high in fat cause greater intestinal inflammation; although, in the case of sports, the inflammation may disappear.
After reading this article and the research carried out, we can come to the conclusion that sport is favorable in many aspects. For this reason, doctors insist that it is important to abandon a sedentary lifestyle to be able to boast of an iron health. With a gentle training we will be able to see our immune system strengthened , we will feel more satisfied with our physical appearance and we will eliminate a large amount of stress. All this will improve our quality of life, so it is important that exercise is always present in our routine.
