No changes in the abundance of selected fecal bacteria during increased carbohydrates consumption period associated with the racing season in amateur road cyclists

Abstract

Background Cyclists often use high-carbohydrate, low-fiber diets to optimize the glycogen stores and to avoid the gastrointestinal distress during both, the trainings and the competitions. The impact of such dietary changes on gut microbiota is not fully known. Methods We assessed the abundances of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp. and the fecal pH in 14 amateur cyclists during the racing season. Eleven healthy men formed the control group. Results Despite significant differences in the diet composition and physical endurance levels of amateur cyclists before the competition season (1st term) and control group (carbohydrates: 52.2% ± 4.9% vs 41.9% ± 6.6%; VO2max: 56.1 ± 6.0 vs 39.7 ± 7.7; p < 0.01; respectively), we did not observe any significant differences in studied gut bacteria abundances or fecal pH between the groups. Although the cyclists’ carbohydrates consumption (2nd term) have increased throughout the season (4.48 g/kg b.w. ± 1.56 vs 5.18 g/kg b.w. ± 1.99; p < 0.05), the studied gut bacteria counts and fecal pH remained unchanged. It seems that the amateur cyclists’ diet with increased carbohydrates intake does not alter the gut microbiota, but further research is needed to assess the potential impact of even higher carbohydrates consumption (over 6 g/kg b.w.).

Dynamics of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids during a Cycling Grand Tour Are Related to Exercise Performance and Modulated by Dietary Intake

“…Both taxa were functionally related to energy and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. For their part, Wiacek et al, 2023 [ 43 ] studied how the abundance of four species present in the faecal microbiota ( Faecalibacterium prausnitzi , Akkermansia muciniphila , Bifidobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp.) changed at two points throughout the season in amateur cyclists versus sedentary volunteers collected at a single point.…”

Different Approaches to Ergogenic, Pre-, and Probiotic Supplementation in Sports with Different Metabolism Characteristics: A Mini Review

“…While cyclists, runners, or swimmers avoid excess fiber, it could be a risk factor for a healthy gut. In our previous study, we did not observe any significant differences in Bacteroides spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Akkermansia muciniphila , and Feacalibacterium prausnitzii abundance between amateur cyclists consuming a high-carbohydrate diet and controls with a more sedentary lifestyle consuming a diet containing more protein and fat [ 22 ]. Although the carbohydrate consumption of study participants was high (mean of 4.48 g/kg b.w.…”

The Impact of Physical Effort on the Gut Microbiota of Long-Distance Fliers

“…Motivated by the interest in understanding the effect of exercise on the intestinal microbiota and the possibility of improving athletic performance with microbiota-centered nutrition [ 11 ], many studies have compared the fecal microbiota of athletes and sedentary individuals, athletes and non-competing controls [ 12 , 13 ] or even athletes competing in different disciplines [ 14 ]. Studies with human volunteers have tested the effect of one or multiple sessions of intense exercise on the gut microbiota.…”