Ever wondered why you see some athletes get a quick bite of banana during breaks? Or why they’re commonly served in rest stations during marathon races?
The answer is simple...they’re one of nature’s best food supplements when it comes to athletic performance. Not only are they a quick and delicious snack, but they also contain essential nutrients that can directly enhance your performance and results. Here are 3 reasons why athletes love having banana before, during, and even after training.
Great source of potassium
Bananas are famous for being rich in potassium, a mineral essential to optimise athletic performance. This mineral is a critical element in several bodily functions such as the movement of muscles, regulating the water levels in the body, and preventing cramps. A medium-sized banana typically has around 450g of potassium, making it an excellent source for getting this vital nutrient.
Instant energy
Bananas also provide athletes with quick and effective energy source through its substantial carbohydrate and sugar content. These carbs and sugar from bananas can provide the added energy to help keep the mind and body sharp throughout activity. With around 30g of total carbohydrates in each medium-sized banana, it’s an excellent and delicious way to get an instant boost of energy.
Healthy Sleeping Pill Alternative
Healthy people need a good night's sleep right? Eating a banana before bed can help you do just that. Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium which help relax overstressed muscles. Because they also contain tryptophan, which converts to serotonin and melatonin (the brains key calming hormones) they have a relaxing effect on the body in general. This is good news for poor sleepers.
Mood Improvement
According to research [8] conducted by the US National Library of Medicine, foods such as chicken, soyabeans, cereals, tuna, nuts and bananas may serve as a pharmaceutical alternative to improve mood and cognition. Because serotonin levels (the main chemical responsible for mood regulation) in the brain are dependent on the availability of the food-derived precursor tryptophan, foods rich in tryptophan like banana may be key in supporting cognitive function including mood, the natural way.
Cheap and convenient
Because bananas are one of the most common and accessible fruits around, they’re perfect for athletes who want a healthy, performance-enhancing snack that doesn’t break their wallets. Not only that, but they’re quick to eat and very easy to get a hold of.
If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast, it’s a no-brainer. Bananas should be one of your go-to snacks and an essential part of your diet. If the pros love it, so should you.
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REFERENCES:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/419220-why-do-athletes-eat-bananas/
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/can-bananas-athletes-2956.html
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Essential_Nutrients_for_Endurance_Athletes.shtml
http://www.livescience.com/45005-banana-nutrition-facts.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=7
http://www.womansdayhealthandfitness.com
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24134856/
Written by RJ Miso
