Keep a routine exercisesit is difficult. Aside from the fact that being quiet at home always seems like a better option, not every day we are in the mood to work out. Scientists are looking into this and trying to find a solution to the lack of courage to move our skeleton and seem to have found the culprits in our intestine.
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According to a study done by the University of Pennsylvania, USA, some bacteria that live in our gut are able to increase the release of dopamine during physical exercises. And that's what makes us more willing to work out.
How did scientists discover the source of an unwillingness to work out?
The study was conducted in 106 mice, which were screened for genetics, exercise capacity and gut microbiome composition. According to scientist Christoph Thaiss, the greater frequency with which rodents exercised was linked to the quantity and quality of bacteria in their intestines.
The research concluded that mice that had the bacteria intact spent twice as much time exercising voluntarily, when compared to those that had disorders in the intestinal microbes. In addition, the latter recorded a drop in the level of dopamine.
At another point in the studies, these ratswere given fatty acid amides, molecules produced by intestinal bacteria. After that, the rodents were able to reach the same frequency of exercises as the others.
With this, scientists were able to establish a connection between the willingness to work out and the bacteria that live in the intestine.
brain and gut
The link between the brain and the gut has been proven before. Previous studies have shown that the gastrointestinal system is linked to mood regulation. That's why people get so irritated when they go a few days without going to the bathroom, for example.
Our intestine also acts strongly in controlling the levels of blood sugar, protecting against heart disease and even preventing dementia.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.