Probiotics strengthen top athletes

Probiotics strengthen top athletes

Probiotics strengthen the immune system and make it more resistant to infections - as a study by the University of 30 rugby professionals showed. If the athletes took dietary supplements with probiotics daily, they were sick less often. And if they did get an infection, they recovered faster thanks to probiotics. The scientists suspect that the cause is the positive effects of probiotics on the intestinal flora and the immune system.

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Probiotics against infections in professional athletes

Professional team athletes have an exceptionally high risk of infection. They spend a lot of time together in a small space, for example in the changing room or the fitness room. If either of them is sick, the chances are high that they infect their teammates.

That is fatal because a constant training level is essential in professional sport. Competitions or games are usually on the schedule at least once a week, and a daily routine occurs.

In the event of an infection, the athlete is absent for several days and can only slowly start training again.

Brylee Haywood and her colleagues from the University were looking to boost the immune system of professional athletes.

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Probiotics prevent infections

Participants were given either probiotics or a placebo for four weeks. After a four-week break, they swapped: the probiotics group now received placebos and vice versa.

Probiotics are useful intestinal bacteria that build up the intestinal flora and support it in its health-promoting and immune system-strengthening effect.

Probiotics help the intestine absorb vital nutrients and ward off pathogens. By creating an acidic environment in the large intestine, they kill numerous germs. They also promote the formation of defense cells.

All participants kept a diary during the study. They entered daily whether they had symptoms of the disease and, if so, how severe they were.

In the evaluation, the scientists concentrated on the upper respiratory tract diseases, i.e., "colds" and gastrointestinal infections.

It curved out that fair under half of the participants fell ill while taking probiotics. During the placebo intake, however, it was 80 percent.

Probiotics shorten infections

The evaluation of the data showed that the frequency of the infections decreased and their duration. If the athletes took probiotics, their illnesses only lasted three and a half days and not - as without probiotics - six days.

The researchers did not examine the participants' blood values ​​concerning immune matters. Nevertheless, they are sure that the study's positive result can only be because probiotics strengthen the immune system.

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Probiotic from fermented foods

There are numerous "probiotic foods" in the supermarket, especially dairy products.

It is not continuously clear whether these will keep what they promise. Only a few manufacturers have proven their products' effectiveness in independent studies.

So it makes more sense to make probiotic foods yourself.

The fermentation process is suitable for this. Vegetables are fermented so that probiotic cultures form. Homemade sauerkraut, for example, is incredibly healthy. Of course, it is even easier to use dietary supplements with probiotics available in capsule form or as liquid probiotics.