Yet again, a new benefit of exercise for human health has been unveiled. The new study by the University College of Cork reveals exercise can increase the percentage of good bacteria in a person's gut, which might help in keeping obesity at bay.
Irish researchers said obesity chances increase due to decline in gut bacteria and also lead to weaker immune system. As part of the study, stool and blood samples from 40 professional rugby players were taken when they were in the mid of their strenuous training programme.
The samples were assessed to know the range of bacteria in their gut. In the next process, the samples were compared with the samples taken from 46 healthy men who were not professional sport players.
Results unveiled 50% of the comparison group had normal body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less and rest of them had a high BMI of 28 or more. All the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, including questions like how much and how often they ate187 food items over the preceding four weeks.
They were also asked to report about their normal levels of physical activity. Athletes were found to have lower levels of inflammatory markers and better metabolic profile than the men in the comparison group.
Noticeable thing was the presence of wide range of gut bacteria. The number of different bacteria types was also higher. They particularly had much high proportions of Akkermansiaceae, a species of bacteria that are associated with lower rates of obesity.
"Our findings indicate that exercise is another important factor in the relationship between the microbiota, host immunity and host metabolism, with diet playing an important role", said the researchers.
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