Gut health and the female athleteResearch shows that a more diverse gut microbiota aids digestion and nutrient absorption by helping to break down fibers and carbohydrates. In addition, a healthy gut microbiota can help protect against exercise-induced gut symptoms by reducing gut inflammation and improving tolerance to food and fueling during training and competition. Hormonal changes that occur across the female lifespanIn adolescence and adulthood, rising estrogen and progesterone create sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota. As the gut matures, lifestyle factors such as diet, training load, sleep and stress increasingly influence gut health. Finally, some probiotics have shown promise in supporting gut health in female athletes.