THE ESSENTIAL
- Sugary drinks, dehydration or even antiseptic mouthwashes deplete the oral microbiota, which contributes to our good cardiovascular health.
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Composed of billions of microorganisms that colonize our digestive tract, from the mouth to the intestines, the intestinal microbiota contributes the proper functioning of our digestive system, but also our immune and cardiovascular health.
If so far, the majority of studies have focused on the microorganisms inhabiting our intestines, bacteria colonizing our mouths also play an important role. In a study published in the journal PharmaNutrition, researchers from the University of Plymouth (United Kingdom) and the University of Oberta de Catalunya (Spain) have shown that the microbiota of the oral cavity, and in particular saliva, could have an impact on the effects of physical exercise on our cardiovascular health.
Favor foods rich in nitrates
Previous work had already investigated the relationship between the consumption of nitrates – found in green leafy vegetables such as arugula, broccoli and spinach, as well as beets – and athletic performance and cardiovascular health.
This new study is also interested in the nitrate that we consume in the diet or that we produce endogenously during physical activity. It acts as a nutrient for the bacteria in the mouth, which then turns it into nitrite. This nitrite can be used in the stomach and blood vessels, which increases blood flow to muscles and lowers blood pressure.
Beware of sugary drinks and mouthwashes
This is why great athletes often consume foods rich in nitrates. This does not prevent them from having a prevalence of oral disorders equivalent to, or even higher than that of the general population. How to explain that athletes who pay attention to their diet are also affected by dental erosion, cavities and periodontitis?
For researchers, it’s their consumption of energy drinks that is to blame. “Athletes consume a lot of drinks containing sugar and acid which can affect oral health and the abundance of bacteria. They also consume a lot of carbohydrates, including products with high sugar like energy bars and gels, which can affect the microbiota in the mouth “, underlines Professor Patrícia Casas-Agustench, co-author of the study.
Dehydration or dry mouth can also affect the oral microbiota and reduce dental protection. “Some athletes often vomit because of the anxiety they experience before or during competition due to the exertion they put in, which causes the pH level in their mouth to change, erode the enamel and alter the composition of bacteria “, adds the researcher.
Another factor identified by the study as having a negative effect on the composition and balance of the oral microbiota is the use of antibacterial mouthwashes, such as those containing chlorhexidine, a broad-spectrum bactericidal antiseptic.
When not prescribed by a doctor as part of a treatment, these mouthwashes “inhibit bacteria in the mouth and it has been observed that when chlorhexidine is used the positive effects of exercise on blood pressure are greatly reduced”, explains Professor Raúl Bescós, lead author of the study, who recalls that “The oral microbiota is essential in the cardiovascular response to exercise. If the mouth is healthy, bacteria help break down nitrates into nitrites. Otherwise, we lose a large part of the benefits of exercise.”.
The importance of chewing
How then to take care of your oral microbiota while improving your sports performance and cardiovascular health? Researchers insist on the need to eat more vegetables rich in nitrates, but also “chew more”. “Saliva is essential for regulating the pH in the mouth, as well as the composition and activity of bacteria in the mouth. It is therefore necessary to include in your diet products rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts”, they advise.
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