Exercise and Your Digestion

Have you ever felt a bit queasy after a tough workout? You’re not alone! High-intensity exercise can sometimes leave your stomach feeling like it’s been through a spin cycle. But don’t worry; there’s a lot you can do to keep your digestion on track while staying active.

The Good: Exercise and Healthy Digestion

Moderate exercise is great for digestion. It helps move food through your intestines by stimulating muscle contractions. A nice walk or a gentle yoga session can boost your digestive system, making it more efficient and less likely to cause discomfort.

The Bad: Intense Workouts and Stomach Troubles

When you ramp up the intensity, things can get a bit tricky. High-intensity exercise diverts blood away from your digestive system to your muscles, lungs, and heart. This can cause nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant symptoms. This blood flow competition can make your digestive system struggle to keep up, especially during prolonged or extremely intense workouts.

The Workout: Tips to Avoid Digestive Distress

1. Eat Smart: Have a small, carbohydrate-rich snack 30-60 minutes before you exercise. Think bananas or a slice of toast.
2. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, but not too much at once. Sip steadily.
3. Train Your Gut: Just like your muscles, your gut needs training. Gradually increase your intake of food and fluids during exercise to help your digestive system adapt.

According to Ricardo Da Costa, a seasoned expert in sports nutrition, training our gut is as important as training our muscles. So next time you lace up your running shoes, remember to give your stomach some love, too.

If you would like to learn more about optimizing your exercise and your digestion, get connected and join us for a better resource use.

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/exercise-digestion

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/frau-macht-liegestutze-2780762/