Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study

Yonca Sevim; Hande Nur Onur Öztürk; Metin Ergün

Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study

Abstract

Despite growing research on the health benefits of probiotics in athlete populations, there has been little investigation into athletes’ consumption of probiotics and fermented foods. Similarly, data is limited about athletes’ fermented and probiotic foods consumption. This study aimed to examine the experiences with probiotics, and the frequency of consuming probiotics and fermented foods in a sample of elite Turkish athletes. The secondary aim was to provide data on the existing literature on the dietary intake of the athletes. A total of 30 elite volleyball athletes, 19 male, and 11 female, of a club competing in Turkey’s adult men's first league and Turkey’s adult women's second league in the pre-season period of 2016 were included in this pilot study. A questionnaire include general characteristics questions, experiences, and thoughts about probiotics, and a fermented food frequency questionnaire was applied face to face. Athletes’ nutrient intakes were calculated by dietary records obtained on 3 consecutive days. The energy and macronutrient intakes were calculated via a software program. Athletes’ anthropometric measures were determined. A total of 60% reported that they have never heard of the term “probiotic” before. The main reason to use probiotics was “good gastrointestinal health” and the main reason for initially trying probiotics is “positive experiences with others”. Athletes who had never taken probiotics would consider using probiotics in the future (73.9%) if they would know what probiotics were. Except for cheese types, fermented foods and beverages consumption was low. Athletes were willing to learn and use probiotics. Investigation of the use of probiotics and consumption of fermented foods will enlighten a better understanding of athletes' actual behavior, and may increase the possible health effects of probiotics.

Keywords

References

Bermon S, Petriz B, Kajėnienė A, Prestes J, Castell L, Franco OL. The microbiota: an exercise immunology perspective. Exerc Immunol Rev. 2015;21:70-9.
Qin J, Li R, Raes J, Arumugam M, Burgdorf KS, Manichanh C, Nielsen T, Pons N, Levenez F, Yamada T, Mende DR, Li J, Xu J, Li S, Li D, Cao J, Wang B, Liang H, Zheng H, Xie Y, Tap J, Lepage P, Bertalan M, Batto JM, Hansen T, Le Paslier D, Linneberg A, Nielsen HB, Pelletier E, Renault P, Sicheritz-Ponten T, Turner K, Zhu H, Yu C, Li S, Jian M, Zhou Y, Li Y, Zhang X, Li S, Qin N, Yang H, Wang J, Brunak S, Doré J, Guarner F, Kristiansen K, Pedersen O, Parkhill J, Weissenbach J, MetaHIT Consortium, Bork P, Ehrlich SD, Wang J. A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. Nature. 2010 Mar 4;464(7285):59-65. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08821
Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. J. Sport Health Sci. 2019;8:201–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.009
de Oliveira GLV, Leite AZ, Higuchi BS, Gonzaga MI, Mariano VS. Intestinal dysbiosis and probiotic applications in autoimmune diseases. Immunology. 2017;152:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/imm.12765
Díaz-Jiménez J, Sánchez-Sánchez E, Ordoñez FJ, Rosety I, Díaz AJ, Rosety-Rodriguez M, Rosety MÁ, Brenes F. Impact of Probiotics on the Performance of Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11576. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111576
Mack DR. Probiotics-mixed messages. Can Fam Physician. 2005;51(11):1455-1464. Dahiya D, Nigam PS. Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fermented Foods as Potential Biotics in Nutrition Improving Health via Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis. Fermentation. 2022; 8(7):303. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8070303
Zawistowska-Rojek A, Tyski S. Are Probiotic Really Safe for Humans?. Pol J Microbiol. 2018;67(3):251-258. https://doi.org/10.21307/pjm-2018-044
Venugopalan V, Shriner KA, Wong-Beringer A. Regulatory oversight and safety of probiotic use. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010;16(11):1661-1665. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1611.100574

Marco ML, Heeney D, Binda S, Cifelli CJ, Cotter PD, Foligné B, Gänzle M, Kort R, Pasin G, Pihlanto A, Smid EJ, Hutkins R. Health benefits of fermented foods: microbiota and beyond. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2017 Apr;44:94-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2016.11.010
Soemarie YB, Milanda T, Barliana MI. Fermented Foods as Probiotics: A Review. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2021;12(4):335-339. https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_116_21
Dimidi E, Cox SR, Rossi M, Whelan K. Fermented Foods: Definitions and Characteristics, Impact on the Gut Microbiota and Effects on Gastrointestinal Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1806. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081806
Lamprecht M, Bogner S, Schippinger G, Steinbauer K, Fankhauser F, Hallstroem S, Schuetz B, Greilberger JF. Probiotic supplementation affects markers of intestinal barrier, oxidation, and inflammation in trained men; a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012 Sep 20;9(1):45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-9-45
Pyne DB, West NP, Cox AJ, Cripps AW. Probiotics supplementation for athletes - clinical and physiological effects. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(1):63-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.971879
Chin-Lee B, Curry WJ, Fetterman J, Graybill MA, Karpa K. Patient experience and use of probiotics in community- based health care settings. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014 Oct 31;8:1513-20. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S72276
Frączek B, Grzelak A, Klimek AT. Analysis of Daily Energy Expenditure of Elite Athletes in Relation to their Sport, the Measurement Method and Energy Requirement Norms. J Hum Kinet. 2019 Nov 30;70:81-92. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0049
Mielgo-Ayuso J, Zourdos MC, Calleja-González J, Urdampilleta A, Ostojic SM. Dietary intake habits and controlled training on body composition and strength in elite female volleyball players during the season. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2015 Aug;40(8):827-34. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0100
Wierniuk A, Włodarek D. Estimation of energy and nutritional intake of young men practicing aerobic sports. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2013;64(2):143-8.
Malinauskas, Brenda M, Corbett AB, Carpenter AB. Body composition, weight preferences, and dietary macronutrient intake of summer college baseball players.VAHPERD Journal. 2006;28(1):16.
Papandreou D, Hassapidou M, Hourdakis M, Papakonstantinous K, Tsitskaris G, Garefis A. Dietary Intake of Elite Athletes. Aristotle University Medical Journal. 2006;33(1):119-126.
Christensen DL, Van Hall G, Hambraeus L. Food and macronutrient intake of male adolescent Kalenjin runners in Kenya. Br J Nutr. 2002 Dec;88(6):711-7. https://doi.org/10.1079/BJN2002728
Loucks AB. Energy balance and body composition in sports and exercise. J Sports Sci. 2004 Jan;22(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000140518
Mercer M, Brinich MA, Geller G, Harrison K, Highland J, James K, Marshall P, McCormick JB, Tilburt J, Achkar JP, Farrell RM, Sharp RR. How patients view probiotics: findings from a multicenter study of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2012 Feb;46(2):138-44. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e318225f545
Viana JV, Da Cruz AG, Zoellner SS, Silva R, Batista ALD. Probiotic foods: consumer perception and attitudes. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2008;43: 1577-1580. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01596.x
Payahoo L, Nikniaz Z, Mahdavi R, Abadi MAJ. Perceptions of medical sciences students towards probiotics. Health Promot Perspect. 2012 Jul 1;2(1):96-102. https://doi.org/10.5681/hpp.2012.012
Dunn D, Turner LW, Denny G. Nutrition knowledge and attitudes of college athletes. The Sport Journal. 2007;10(4).
Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, Chaiyasut C. Effect of Probiotics Supplementations on Health Status of Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Nov 13;16(22):4469. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224469
Schultz M, Baranchi A, Thurston L, Yu YC, Wang L, Chen J, Sapsford M, Chung J, Binsadiq M, Craig L, Wilkins B, McBride D, Herbison P. Consumer demographics and expectations of probiotic therapy in New Zealand: results of a large telephone survey. N Z Med J. 2011 Feb 11;124(1329):36-43.
Parnell JA, Wiens KP, Erdman KA. Dietary Intakes and Supplement Use in Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Canadian Athletes. Nutrients. 2016 Aug 26;8(9):526. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8090526
Gerasimidis K, McGrogan P, Hassan K, Edwards CA. Dietary modifications, nutritional supplements and alternative medicine in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Jan 15;27(2):155-65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03552.x
Parvez S, Malik KA, Ah Kang S, Kim HY. Probiotics and their fermented food products are beneficial for health. J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jun;100(6):1171-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.02963.x
Szczepańska E, Spałkowska A. Dietary behaviours of volleyball and basketball players. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2012;63(4):483-9.
Gacek M. Association between self-efficacy and dietary behaviours of American football players in the Polish Clubs in the light of dietary recommendations for athletes. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(4):361-6.
Bowman M. MD Thesis. Probiotic and Fermented Food Intake and Its Association with Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia, USA, 2021.
CarvalhoI NB, da Costa TMdT, Ferreira MAM, Simiqueli AA, Minim VPR. Consumer attitude regarding products containing probiotics. Ciência Rural, Santa Maria, 2014;44(7):1319-1326. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103- 8478cr20131178
Lollo PCB, Cruz AG, Morato PN, Moura CS, Carvalho-Silva LB, Oliveira CAF, Faria JAF, Amaya-Farfan J. Probiotic cheese attenuates exercise-induced immune suppression in Wistar rats. J Dairy Sci. 2012 Jul;95(7):3549-58. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-5124
Lollo PCB, de Moura CS, Morato PN, Cruz AG, WdF Castro, Betim CB, Nisishima L, JdAF Faria, Junior MM, Fernandes CO, Amaya-Farfan J. Probiotic yogurt offers higher immune-protection than probiotic whey beverage. Food Res. Int. 2013;54:118–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2013.06.003
Ducray HAG, Globa L, Pustovyy O, Roberts MD, Rudisill M, Vodyanoy V, Sorokulova I. Prevention of excessive exercise-induced adverse effects in rats with Bacillus subtilis BSB3. J Appl Microbiol. 2020 Apr;128(4):1163-1178. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.14544
Marttinen M, Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Lehtinen MJ. Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12102936
Ebispro for Windows, Stuttgart, Germany; Turkish Version (BeBiS 7.2), Pasifik Elektirik Elektronik Ltd. Şti. (www.bebis.com.tr); Istanbul, 2010.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yonca Sevim ^*
Türkiye

Hande Nur Onur Öztürk
Türkiye

Metin Ergün
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 27, 2025

Submission Date

November 1, 2022

Acceptance Date

January 10, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 27 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Sevim, Y., Onur Öztürk, H. N., & Ergün, M. (2025). Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 27(2), 12-21. https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG

AMA

1.Sevim Y, Onur Öztürk HN, Ergün M. Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;27(2):12-21. https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG

Chicago

Sevim, Yonca, Hande Nur Onur Öztürk, and Metin Ergün. 2025. “Knowledge and Consumption Frequency of Probiotics and Fermented Foods in Elite Volleyball Players-A Pilot Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27 (2): 12-21. https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG.

EndNote

Sevim Y, Onur Öztürk HN, Ergün M (June 1, 2025) Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27 2 12–21.

IEEE

[1]Y. Sevim, H. N. Onur Öztürk, and M. Ergün, “Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 12–21, June 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG

ISNAD

Sevim, Yonca - Onur Öztürk, Hande Nur - Ergün, Metin. “Knowledge and Consumption Frequency of Probiotics and Fermented Foods in Elite Volleyball Players-A Pilot Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 27/2 (June 1, 2025): 12-21. https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG.

JAMA

1.Sevim Y, Onur Öztürk HN, Ergün M. Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;27:12–21.

MLA

Sevim, Yonca, et al. “Knowledge and Consumption Frequency of Probiotics and Fermented Foods in Elite Volleyball Players-A Pilot Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 27, no. 2, June 2025, pp. 12-21, https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG.

Vancouver

1.Yonca Sevim, Hande Nur Onur Öztürk, Metin Ergün. Knowledge and consumption frequency of probiotics and fermented foods in elite volleyball players-A pilot study. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 1;27(2):12-21. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA25CZ34ZG