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The Power of the Microbiome in Exercise Motivation

As humans, we often find ourselves struggling to stay motivated when it comes to exercise. We set ambitious fitness goals and start out strong, only to lose steam and give up when progress becomes slow. What if we told you that there is a way to boost exercise motivation, and it all has to do with the bacteria in our gut?

Research has shown that the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live inside our bodies, has a significant influence on our overall health and well-being. In particular, recent studies have demonstrated a link between the microbiome and exercise motivation.

According to an evolutionary biologist at UC Riverside, Theodore Garland, the microbiome seems to influence the athletic animals' willingness to run. But how does this translate to humans?

Studies have shown that athletes who exercise regularly have a more diverse microbiome than sedentary individuals. Specifically, they have higher levels of bacteria that are associated with improved metabolism and reduced inflammation, both of which can improve exercise performance.

But it's not just about the number of bacteria in our gut - it's also about the quality. Researchers have found that certain types of bacteria are associated with better exercise performance and motivation. For example, a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that mice that were given Lactobacillus rhamnosus had better exercise performance than those that were not.

So, how can we improve our microbiome to boost exercise motivation? One way is through diet. Consuming a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods can help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in our gut. Prebiotic foods, such as bananas, garlic, and onions, provide the necessary nutrients for healthy gut bacteria to thrive, while probiotic foods, such as yogurt and kimchi, contain live bacteria that can colonize the gut.

Another way to improve the microbiome is through exercise itself. As previously mentioned, regular exercise has been shown to increase the diversity of the microbiome. But it's important to note that the type of exercise you do can also have an impact. For example, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology found that endurance exercise was associated with an increase in beneficial bacteria, while resistance exercise had no effect.

In conclusion, a microbiome is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to improve exercise motivation and performance. By consuming a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods and engaging in regular endurance exercise, individuals can improve the quality and diversity of their microbiome, potentially leading to better exercise performance and motivation.