For all those athletes participating in the Olympics
2012, here is a sweet tip for you.
Studies conducted to find out the best food items that boost the
performance of an athlete have observed that raisins are the best option for
instant energy. You can now replace the
dose of the sports chew with a handful of raisins, which are cheaper and
healthy.
Athletes need an ample amount of energy in their body to
perform better in the games and prevent excessive exhaustion. They depend on
glucose drinks or sports chews, which also tend to contain some chemicals and
constituents that harm their health in longer run. Researchers from the
University of California-Davis conducted a simple test to observe and compare
the potential of sports chews, raisins and water. In their study on a set of
runners, they found out that in a race of five kilometers, those runners who
consumed raisins and water or sports chew ran one minute faster than those who
consumed only water. But in a similar
study conducted by the California Raisin Marketing Board, researchers found
that raisins don't just promote better performance and energy to athletes, but
also prevent DNA damage due to Oxidative damage prior to strenuous activities,
which the sports chew failed to do. Prolonged Oxidative damage is linked with
several types of cancer and heart disease.
Raisins, as being sweet
have higher amount of carbohydrates and sugar content in them than fats.
Several studies show that raisins are the best option where there is a need of
quick energy. They contain 70% of fructose that breaks down easily when
digested. Other than providing energy to the body, raisins also provide several
essential minerals like Potassium, Iron, Calcium, Manganese, Zinc, Copper and
Sodium. They are also rich in dietary fibers, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-complex,
Vitamin E and Vitamin K. These micronutrients are very important for an
athlete's body to recover from wounds and injuries incurred during their sports
activities.
Source: Medindia
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