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According to an American study, the feeling of well-being felt during a sports session is mainly due to the intestinal microbiota. This “gut-brain” axis would increase physical performance, and therefore our motivation, if it is properly stimulated.
Are you having trouble exercising? It’s the fault of your microbiota
According to researchers from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, certain intestinal bacteria could influence sensory nerves that influence motivation. Their results are published in the journal Nature.
To carry out their research, the specialists measured the physical activity of 106 mice. They compared the performance of guinea pigs based on gut bacteria and metabolites, molecules involved in cell development and reproduction. Subsequently, they calculated the number of “voluntary running” of the mice, as well as their endurance.
Result ? The specialists noticed that “giving the mice broad-spectrum antibiotics to get rid of their intestinal bacteria reduced the running performance of the mice by half”, present the researchers in a press release.
A “microbiota-brain” axis
Researchers reveal that two microbial species, eubacterium and coprococcus, produce metabolites called fatty acid amides (FAAs). These have an influence on the stimulation of receptors present on sensory nerves. These located in the intestine, connect to the brain through the spine. Properly stimulated, these nerves increase the production of dopamine, the “happiness hormone” during physical exertion.
“This gut-brain motivational pathway may have evolved to link nutrient availability and gut bacterial population status to willingness to engage in prolonged physical activity.“says J. Nicholas Betley, a professor of biology in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.”This line of research could become a whole new branch of exercise physiology”. The researchers qualify, however, specifying that the presence of this pathway in humans has yet to be confirmed.
This is not the first time that this microbiota-brain axis has been studied. In 2022, researchers discovered a “psychobiotic” diet, capable of reducing stress through food, while others made the link between alcohol consumption and the microbiota.