A narrative review maps gut microbiome strategies for athlete recovery

Carlone J, Sgro P, Parisi A and Fasano A published a narrative review of gut microbiome strategies for athlete recovery in Nutrients 18(14):2403 on July 22, 2026 (PMID 42514472).

The review reports no effect sizes, and the authors concede that the anti inflammatory evidence for butyrate and propionate is largely preclinical. The author list is prominent in the field, which makes the review quotable and is also the reason to read its claims carefully rather than lean on authority.

The numbers

Effect sizes reported

What this does not show

That short chain fatty acids reduce inflammation in athletes. The authors concede the butyrate and propionate anti inflammatory evidence is largely preclinical, meaning animal and cell work rather than human trials.
Any quantified effect. Narrative review with no effect sizes reported.
New data. This synthesises existing literature and adds no new measurements.

Caveats worth holding

Narrative review with no effect sizes.
The authors concede the butyrate and propionate anti inflammatory evidence is largely preclinical.
A prominent author list makes the review quotable, which is precisely why its claims deserve scrutiny rather than deference.