Probiotics could be the boost your body needs. Photo: ASP/ Kirstin Scholtz
The whole concept of probiotics or “good bacteria” feels counterintuitive. Too often, we associate bacteria only with the problems it’s apt to cause, and not its other important functions. We think of e. coli or strep, staph or salmonella. It seems odd to consider consuming bacteria for health’s sake, since far too often we consume antibiotics for the exact same purpose.
But the truth of the matter is that our bodies rely on healthy bacteria every day to keep the digestive system in balance. The probiotics that live in the gut are essential to healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. The importance of probiotics is even further magnified in the bodies of athletes, and particularly, endurance athletes. While all bodies can react differently to different microbes and bacteria, there are an increasing number of studies that show that upping your intake of probiotics can be beneficial for athletic performance. This increase can be achieved by taking supplementary probiotics or increasing your consumption of probiotic-rich, fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, miso soup, pickles, microalgae, or dark chocolate. Below are 3 ways probiotics might help you up your game- be it in the water or on the slopes.
Immunity Boost
In itself, exercise generally elevates immunity. However, extremely strenuous exercise can weaken the body’s defenses against unwelcome invaders. This can be particularly problematic in the ocean, where there is an abundance of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes floating around (particularly near river mouths or shortly after heavy rains). Increased probiotic consumption has been shown to boost immunity and compensate for weakness incurred from heavy exercise. A large part of the immune system is in the gut, and healthy probiotic bacteria can help defend against other harmful microbes accidentally ingested. At the end of the day, probiotics could be able to keep you surfing longer, and out of the water from illness less frequently.
Improve Recovery
It is believed that consuming probiotics can help improve recovery by increasing the body’s absorption of antioxidants. During training or heavy exercise, free radicals are produced in the body, and these highly reactive, unstable atoms or groups of atoms can cause damage to body tissue, slowing recovery time. Antioxidants work to break down free radicals, minimizing the tissue damage incurred in the first place. Probiotics have been shown to increase the body’s ability to absorb antioxidants and combat potential damage to muscle tissue, reducing recovery time, and getting you back to the top of your game quicker.
Digestive Aid
Probiotics build up the body’s natural healthy bacteria in the stomach and gut, and can help improve digestive efficiency. Maintaining a proper balance of digestive bacteria ensures that the maximum amount of nutrients is absorbed from food. This is especially important for outdoor athletes who have the highest nutrient requirement of just about anyone. Aside from the energy required for the actual sport, just maintaining the body’s temperature and functions in the elements requires a ton of energy. For those hoping to maximize performance, supplementary probiotics have the potential to increase the availability of proteins and fats as accessible sources of energy.
Note: this content is meant to explore the potential benefits of supplementary probiotics, but it is not meant to be perceived as medical advice.
