Females suffer more GI issues than their male counterparts. Here’s how to get the fuel you need without the GI distress you don’t.
Women are no strangers to GI distress. Research shows we’re more prone to symptoms like bloating, stomach cramps, and constipation, partially because of monthly hormonal shifts in menstruating women and also because females have slower motility through the stomach and intestine than our male peers. Though research is somewhat mixed, women also may be more likely to suffer GI distress during exercise, especially abdominal cramps, side stitch, flatulence, intestinal bleeding, the urge to have bowel movements, and diarrhea, than men.
This can make it especially challenging to get the energy you need during exercise, especially for longer endurance events and/or during super hard efforts like CrossFit workouts. That’s why it’s important to understand your physiology and, importantly, to train your gut to meet the challenges you’re asking of it.
