What does your digestive system and a marathon have in common?

Sylvain Bonnet Garcia

Global Vice President & General Manager | Business Unit Head | Global Category Head | Vice President Marketing | Allergy | Digestive Wellness | Vitamins | OTC | Consumer Health | FMCG

Published May 29, 2023

Your digestive system is like a long, muscular tube, that’s made up of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, gallbladder and liver - all of which work together to digest the food and drink we consume every day.[1]

This extraordinary process breaks the food nutrients down into amino acids, simple sugars, fatty acids and glycerol so that they can be absorbed into our bloodstream and used by our bodies for energy, growth and cell repair. Amazing, right?[2]

But the process of digestion isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon – taking our bodies anywhere between 24 and 72 hours to digest food[3]. That’s one to three days! Only the adult digestive tract isn’t 26 miles long, it’s about 9 meters[4]. Much like a marathon, a lot of hard work goes into this process. Different milestones need to be hit, just like the different stages of the digestive system – from the starting line (the mouth), to the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine and finally to the finish line (large intestine and the anus).[5]

This #WorldDigestiveHealthDay, I’m taking a closer look at the digestive system, the consequences of letting it get run down, and ways we can all build it back up again.

Gut & Digestive System working hand in hand

Let’s not let the digestive system get all the credit when passing the finish line, however, as the gut and the digestive system go hand in hand.–The gut converts food into energy, delivers nutrients into the bloodstream and manages our waste[6]. Did you know that 70% of the body’s immune system resides in the gut?[7]

The gut holds a major role in the digestive system and has a huge impact on our overall wellness, including not only our digestion and immunity but also our mental health. In fact, our gut and brain are intricately linked, so where poor gut health can cause stress and anxiety, suffering from stress and anxiety can have implications on our gut health.[8]

What is more, the state of our digestive system can also influence other aspects of our life.

Consequences of poor digestive health:

Diarrhea: When your gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can result in passing looser, watery or more frequent poo than is normal for you.[9]
Constipation: Constipation can occur when there’s an imbalance of gut bacteria and causes uncomfortable or less frequent bowel movements. [10] Earlier this year our team discovered that roughly 35-50% of the general population suffered from at least one constipation symptom in the past 12 months. [11]
IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, with symptoms including stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhea.[12] You can check your symptoms by using an online symptom tracker.
Liver disease: Intestinal microbiota and bacterial products may contribute to liver diseases[13]. The liver plays a crucial role in digestion by controlling levels of fats, amino acids and glucose in the blood.[14] Think of it as a training coach, which helps the body but often isn’t perceived as something which takes part in the actual race.

How to practice what we preach ?

In just the same way we care for our bodies before a marathon, it’s key that we care for our digestive system before its internal race. Step forward self-care!

This could include:

🍼 Staying hydrated[15]
🎚️ Managing stress levels by using breathing techniques and giving yourself time to unwind[16]
🍓Maintaining a well-balanced diet, which is high in fiber and avoiding gut-harming foods[17]
🚶 Exercise in ways that support digestion, by targeting the peristalsis, (the involuntary muscle movement in the gut) and performing these after a light meal or snack
🏥 Speak to a healthcare professional for advice and medicinal treatment options

It’s only through opening up, having conversations about our digestive health and implementing self-care techniques, that we can ensure our general well-being and keep our health firmly in our hands.

So, feeling energized enough to take on a marathon of your own yet?

[1] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/digestive-system

[2] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works

[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-digest-food#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20food%20takes%2024,or%20speed%20up%20the%20process

[4]https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/digestive.html#:~:text=It%20runs%20from%20the%20mouth,(about%209%20meters)%20long.

[5] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works

[6] https://sunrisehospital.com/about/newsroom/being-healthy-starts-in-your-gut-tips-for-promoting-optimal-gut-health-and-preventing-disease#:~:text=The%20gut%20is%20a%20powerhouse,our%20overall%20health%20and%20wellness.

[7] https://www.axahealth.co.uk/health-information/gut-health/exercises-to-improve-digestion/

[8] https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/can-gut-health-affect-mental-health

[9] https://biokplus.com/blogs/news/what-causes-diarrhea#:~:text=When%20your%20gut%20microbiome%20becomes,be%20able%20to%20function%20normally.

[10] https://thehealthychef.com/blogs/wellbeing/5-reasons-why-youre-constipated-and-how-to-fix-it#:~:text=Constipation%20can%20involve%20an%20imbalance,the%20gut%2C%20slowing%20gut%20motility.

[11] Ipsos Constipation Fast Facts Cross Country Summary January 10th 2023, Page 3