New research shows how exercise can enrich your gut microbiome
A healthy gut is like a healthy lake – full of different species. Pike, beavers, frogs, herons, dragonflies, and green reeds, the same is true for your gut – a healthy gut is one that’s rich and diverse with different bacteria species. And this diversity can be affected by exercise.
In March 2023 a Canadian German study was published. In this study, they find that the more you exercise, the more richness and diversity you can create in your gut microbiome.
The researchers did what many microbiome researchers do – analysed stool samples from 350 people in Alberta, Canada. They extracted the bacterial DNA from the samples using borderline-magical lab equipment and here are the results they got.
They found that physical activity was associated with the growth of such bacteria species as Actinobacteria, which are responsible for lowering cholesterol levels, Collinsella, which are related to anti-inflammatory actions, and Prevotella, which are often found in the guts of elite athletes.
"In short, when you exercise, you promote the richness of your gut bacteria sanctuary, and they, in turn, promote your health."
The researchers also found that whether someone is overweight affects how effective exercise is at changing gut microbiomes. Even with exercising, those participants who were overweight showed less diversification of their gut bacteria than people with normal weight.
In a nutshell, these researchers found two things:
- Exercise is great for your gut microbiome regardless of your weight (BMI).
- People with lower BMI show more changes in richness and diversity in their microbiomes as a result of exercise.
Exercise is incredible for your health regardless. But now we know that besides its many benefits, it can also enrich your gut microbiome. If you want your gut to be like a vibrant, bubbly lake rich in various creatures that give you health benefits, exercising might be a great addition to your daily life. Enrich your gut microbiome and it will enrich your life.
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