Sale Sharks has renewed the club’s partnership with gut health experts Yakult for another season.
The partnership, originally set up in 2023, sees Yakult provide Sharks’ players and staff with the full Yakult range: Yakult Original, Yakult Balance and new Yakult Plus Peach.
The deal has been extended until the end of the current season, with the brand supporting both the men’s and women’s teams.
Yakult understands the vital link between nutrition and sporting success. As experts in gut health, they know its role in overall wellbeing—both on and off the pitch. The brand has partnered with sports associations across the UK, Ireland and beyond to support athletes at all levels.
Yakult was established 90 years ago and has a long heritage and an amazing amount of science behind its iconic little bottle. Yakult’s founder, the Japanese scientist Dr Shirota, spent many years investigating the benefits of intestinal bacteria.
In 1930 he succeeded in selecting and cultivating a unique strain of lactic acid bacteria that was robust enough to reach the gut alive and increase the bacteria in the gut.
He used this friendly bacteria, now known as L. casei Shirota, to make a fermented milk drink, called Yakult. Today over 40 million Yakult products are enjoyed every day in over 40 countries and regions around the world.
Lauren Delany, Sale Sharks lead nutritionist, said: “We’re excited to continue working with Yakult. They’re a massive global brand and our players and staff really enjoy their products.
“Our players put their bodies on the line every day and push themselves to the limit. The gut plays a significant role in the body of a rugby player and it’s important that we support their overall health and wellbeing.”
Kevin Mansell, Yakult National Sales Manager UK & Ireland, added: “We’re pleased to renew our partnership with Sale Sharks – to ensure the players receive their daily Yakult and to champion the importance of wellbeing on the rugby field and beyond.”
