Does Gut Health Affect Performance?

Our gut contains trillions of bacteria, with issues like depression, anxiety, physical performance, and your body's ability to recover all modified by your gut microbes. The need to prioritize gut health is often associated with poor digestion, bloating, or more severe IBS issues. However, regardless of the feeling of a healthy digestive system, the gut microbiome significantly impacts every aspect of physical and mental health. Whilst we are quick to grab a recovery shake before and after a workout, the power of gut health has yet to be recognised in its ability to improve our performance.

Let’s start with the basics…

What’s Gut Health?
The gut is made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes, known as the gut microbiome. Whilst your body’s bacteria isn’t isolated to the gut (microbes are also found on the skin, nose, and mouth), the gut plays the leading role. We acquire these bacteria during birth and the first years of life, forming the foundation of our health.

When it comes to understanding if your gut is healthy, there is no single way to tell; it can be a collection of factors. Constipation, diarrhea, or stomach cramps can be signs of an unhealthy gut. However, just because you don’t have these symptoms doesn’t mean you have good gut health.

A healthy gut provides the barrier preventing viruses, fungi, and “bad” bacteria from entering the bloodstream when functioning properly. It is estimated that 60–70 million Americans suffer from digestive problems, and poor gut health is a very common issue. So regardless of visible symptoms, everyone can benefit from taking care of their gut bacteria.

Gut Health for Physical Performance
A growing body of research highlights the importance of gut health in athletic performance. Whether you’re going to the gym, cycling, running or doing yoga, prioritizing a healthy gut microbiome will help improve performance and recovery.

• A 2020 review concluded that variability in responses to physical activity can be explained by differences in people’s gut microbiota.
• Another study on athletes found that gut health plays a crucial role in controlling oxidative stress (the imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants that can damage cells and tissue) and inflammatory responses. Less oxidative stress and lower inflammation reduce muscle damage and lead to faster recovery.
• Other benefits include improved metabolism and increased energy expenditure during endurance exercise.

Harvard University also studied gut health by sampling the microbiomes of athletes before and after the Boston Marathon. Results showed that when the body is under physical duress, there’s a spike in gut bacteria that help break down lactic acid. The healthier the gut, the better the body can handle lactic acid.

Gut Health Boosts Energy Levels
A healthy gut doesn’t just matter during exercise — it can also improve natural energy levels. When your stomach is happy and healthy, it can:

• Increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s cellular energy source.

• Supply essential metabolites to mitochondria (the powerhouse of cells).

• Regulate energy harvest, storage, and expenditure.

Gut Health for Recovery and Improved Sleep
Good sleep is essential for performance, and the gut plays a major role. The microbiome regulates hormones and neurotransmitters that impact sleep quality, including cortisol, serotonin, and GABA. It also influences melatonin production, which is essential for proper sleep-wake cycles. An imbalanced gut microbiome can therefore contribute to poor sleep.

How to Improve Gut Health
Improving gut health takes time and commitment. Here are some solutions to support performance:

• For all-round gut health

  Prebiotics and probiotics feed and fertilize good bacteria in the gut so they can multiply and repopulate the microbiome. PREBIOTIC + PROBIOTIC is a 100% vegan formula powered by 15 billion spores (probiotic) and organic inulin (prebiotic).

• For IBS symptoms

  If bloating, cramps, and poor digestion slow you down, DEBLOAT+ may help. It’s formulated with 17 digestive enzymes plus anti-inflammatory ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. Take twice daily with meals.

Want to learn more about prebiotics and probiotics? See what our bestselling formula can do in just 24 hours.