Ginger & Gut Health: What Runners with IBS Need to Know

At Active Root, all of our nutrition products are made with natural root ginger, a scientifically proven solution to combat bloating, nausea, and stomach discomfort during exercise. Including ginger into a fuelling strategy for athletes can shift their focus from digestive issues to optimal performance.

Studies have shown that up to 90% of athletes experience some form of gastric discomfort during exercise, whether it’s pre-race nerves before, feeling sick during the event or bloating afterwards (De Oliveira & Jeukendrup, 2014). The ginger in Active Root can help contribute towards a normally functioning settled stomach and prevent bloating.

We also only use simple, high-quality natural ingredients in all our products. It is our belief that natural ingredients contribute to a settled stomach, ensuring more consistent performance outcomes and avoiding gastrointestinal distress during training and races.

Ginger is well-known for its ability to soothe the stomach. Ginger contains the compound Gingerol, which can help contribute to soothing the stomach by relaxing the muscles in the gut. It also can have a calming effect, reducing bloating and stomach discomfort. The ginger in Active Root has been specially used because of the high gingerol ratio!

At Active Root, we take pride in our use of stomach-settling ginger, but our use of natural ingredients can also contribute towards a normal functioning stomach. As the body can recognise these ingredients more easily, they are less likely to cause an upset stomach, whereas artificial additives can sometimes cause unwanted side effects.

Customer feedback

Our customers have told us that they appreciate our use of natural ingredients and stomach-settling ginger, enabling and empowering them to train for and complete events.

Here’s what Karl told us: "After being diagnosed with Crohns / Diverticular Disease over two years ago I struggled to complete my runs, biking etc, not only because of the illness but I just ran out of energy.

I’ve used your ginger drinks now for some years, I needed something different other than sickly gels.

I have never looked back and I have completed many events since the discovery."

And Sarah said the following: "I've been using Active Root for a few years, I find it excellent for my training routine but the electrolytes also help with my IBS. I love that it's all natural and very tasty! Tried the mixed berry this time, very nice."

Beth’s review: "I love endurance sports but also have IBS which is aggravated by exercise. Any other supplements during activity result in pain, discomfort and worse. Active Root gave me my first stomach ache free race day in years! Thrilled!"

Our products contain the following amount of ginger:

Sports Drink Mix contains 239mg Ginger per serving

Electrolite Drink Mix contains 203mg Ginger per serving

Energy Gel contains 50mg Ginger per serving

Energy Gel Mix contains 102mg Ginger per serving

Energy Chews contains 1452mg Ginger per serving

Recovery Drink Mix contains 199mg Ginger per serving

With our unique use of high-gingerol ginger and simple, natural ingredients, we offer a solution that supports digestive health before, during, and after exercise. Whether you're training, racing, or recovering, you can trust Active Root to fuel your journey with products that are as kind to your stomach as they are effective for your performance.