Whether you run competitively or simply as a way to keep yourself in shape and healthy, there’s nothing quite like setting a personal best, is there? And we’re very lucky these days in that there are all sorts of products out there and research being done by clever folk to help us up our game.
For example, a recent study was carried out by Harvard Medical School that looked into how the bacteria that lives in our digestive tracts could actually help our athletic performance – with the aim being to develop probiotic supplements that could help you recover from your workouts, as well as converting nutrients to energy more efficiently.
After studying numerous fecal samples both before and after races, they discovered a sudden spike in the population of one type of bacteria. The team had already worked out that this bacteria is especially good at breaking down lactic acid in a test tube and they found it remained viable after passing through the digestive system of mice.
As we all know, lactic acid is what builds up in our muscles during intense bouts of exercise – and it’s this that can make us feel sore and achy all over. So it would be great if there were a probiotic supplement out there that could tackle this issue head on!
Researcher Dr Jonathan Scheiman said: “We are more bacteria than we are human. The bugs in our gut affect our energy metabolism, making it easier to break down carbohydrates, protein and fibre. They are also involved in inflammation and neurological function. So perhaps the microbe could be relevant for applications in endurance, recovery and even mental toughness.”
Prebiotics are also something worth investigating, as these can help the good bacteria in your gut thrive. So stock up on the likes of bananas, oatmeal, asparagus and artichoke, as well as legumes like beans, peas, lentils and peanuts.
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