You’ve probably heard that exercise is good for your heart, your mood, and your muscles—but what about your gut? It turns out that regular movement doesn’t just help you feel energised, it can also play a role in easing digestive issues, including bloating and stomach cramps.
Let’s take a look at how exercise supports gut health, what the science says, and how to get moving in a gut-friendly way.
How Exercise Supports Digestion
Movement helps stimulate the natural contractions of the gastrointestinal tract—what experts call gut motility. This can prevent sluggish digestion and reduce symptoms like bloating or constipation.
Exercise also promotes better circulation, supports a healthy gut microbiome, and may help regulate stress, which is a known trigger for IBS flare-ups.
What kind of exercise is best?
You don’t need to run marathons. In fact, high-intensity training can sometimes make gut issues worse.
The Gut Foundation of Australia recommends gentle, consistent movement as part of a holistic approach to managing IBS symptoms. Think of:
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Walking: Gentle and effective for gut motility
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Yoga: Reduces stress and supports digestion through gentle stretching and deep breathing
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Swimming or cycling: Low-impact ways to get your body moving without jarring the digestive system
Fueling with gut friendly snacks
Irrespective of what exercise you choose, it's important to fuel your movement with gut friendly options. Fodbods protein bars are perfect! Delicious, convenient and easy to digest.
Final Word?
Exercise and digestion go hand in hand. A bit of movement each day can do wonders for your gut—especially when combined with stress management and gut-friendly nutrition. So lace up, take it slow, and support your digestion from the outside in.