About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Mediterranean Diet Can Improve Endurance Exercise Performance Within Days

by Adeline Dorcas on March 7, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Font : A-A+

Mediterranean Diet Can Improve Endurance Exercise Performance Within Days

Eating a Mediterranean diet can improve your endurance exercise performance within a few days, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

A team of researchers at Saint Louis University have found that eating a Mediterranean diet can improve athletes' endurance exercise performance after just four days.

Advertisement


In a small study, investigators found that participants ran a 5K six percent faster after eating a Mediterranean diet than after eating a Western diet. Researchers found no difference between the two diets in performance in anaerobic exercise tests.

The Mediterranean diet includes whole fruits and vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains, and avoids red and processed meats, dairy, trans and saturated fats and refined sugars.
Advertisement

By comparison, the Western diet is characterized by low intake of fruit, vegetables and unrefined or minimally processed oils and high intakes of trans and saturated fats, dairy, refined sugars, refined and highly processed vegetable oils, sodium and processed foods.

Senior researcher Edward Weiss, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and dietetics at SLU, says the Mediterranean diet is well-established as having numerous health benefits. He and his team hypothesized that the diet's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, more alkaline pH and dietary nitrates might lead to improved exercise performance.

"Many individual nutrients in the Mediterranean diet improve exercise performance immediately or within a few days. Therefore, it makes sense that a whole dietary pattern that includes these nutrients is also quick to improve performance," Weiss said. "However, these benefits were also quickly lost when switching to the Western diet, highlighting the importance of long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet."

The study enrolled seven women and four men in a randomized-sequence crossover study. The participants ran five kilometers on a treadmill on two occasions - once after four days on a Mediterranean diet and on another occasion after four days on a Western diet, with a period of nine to 16 days separating the two tests.

Weiss says the study found the 5K run time was six percent faster after the Mediterranean diet than the Western diet despite similar heart rates and ratings of perceived exertion.

"This study provides evidence that a diet that is known to be good for health is also good for exercise performance," Weiss said. "Like the general population, athletes and other exercise enthusiasts commonly eat unhealthy diets. Now they have an additional incentive to eat healthy."

Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Diet & Nutrition News

Rejuvenating Your Brain With a Green Mediterranean Diet
The research highlighted the importance of consuming green Mediterranean diet, including lower consumption of processed food in maintaining optimal brain health.
Fresh Food for a Fresh Start: Overcoming Health Vulnerabilities!
By adopting clean eating and incorporating fresh foods, individuals can protect themselves against potential health issues, posed by today's fast-paced society.
How Can Common Sweetener Damage DNA?
Sucralose-6-acetate commonly found in sweeteners is tagged as genotoxic. The chemical was found to damage the DNA in cells.
Healthy Eating: The Impact of Whole Grain Consumption
Experts believe it is unlikely that information about the health benefits of whole grains alone can boost whole grain consumption to the recommended level.
Almond Milk Yogurt is More Nutritious Than Dairy-Based
When comparing plant-based and dairy yogurts, almond milk yogurt was identified as the nutritionally superior option.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Mediterranean Diet Can Improve Endurance Exercise Performance Within Days Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests