Does running help my IBS?
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be both painful and embarrassing. Will running make these symptoms worse, or can it help alleviate them?
Andressa Rodrigues, nutritional advisor at Bio-Kult (bio-kult.com)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterised by an inflammatory process, and symptoms include bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, as well as abdominal pain.
While some people may find running triggers IBS symptoms, others may find the opposite. Mild to moderate running in particular may help to reduce IBS symptoms and alleviate bloating and gas production; especially in cases of IBS with constipation (sometimes called IBS-C). Physical activity may help symptoms by encouraging peristalsis, which is the natural muscular propulsion of contents through the digestive tract.