FOOD that you typically find in your cupboard might not seem to offer the cutting-edge performance enhancements. But science would beg to differ. New research points to mashed potato, bananas and tempeh as the foods athletes should be eating to get the edge. Here’s what should be on your shopping list:
FERMENTED SOY
For a recent trial published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, researchers asked 25 male triathletes to perform two cycle time trials over 20km.
Prior to one of the trials, the athletes were given 30 grams of fermented soy powder in 450ml while the second time trial was preceded with a placebo drink.
Results showed that the fermented soy extract produced faster times to completion achieved at a lower heart rate and with greater power and speed.
This was most significant during the final 5km of the time trial. And the fitter the athletes before the study, the more benefits they seemed to reap from taking it.
While fermented soy is available as a supplement, you will also benefit from boosting in take of foods containing it – natto, meso and tempeh – in your diet.
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