Bowel function is frequently overlooked in the world of sports nutrition. Exercise is often recommended for the protective effect it can exert on bowel health, such as reducing the incidence of colon cancer, diverticular disease, and constipation, most likely due to the faster passage of faeces through the gut. However, in certain groups of athletes, particularly runners and triathletes, loose bowels and urgency to find a bathroom (also known as runners “trots”) can ruin a perfectly good run! For some it is simply a grumbling sensation, pain in the stomach, or bloating; but for others, toilets must be publicly accessible at regular intervals. This is not only disruptive in training and competition, but is also stressful and can diminish an athlete’s confidence and performance.

Does this sound familiar? Click here to read more on the causes of Runner's Gut and what you can do about it.