Vegan diets have been on the rise. In fact, this year’s Wimbledon Men’s final was between two vegans! So, what impact does a plant based diet have on athletic performance?
Novak Djokovic, this year’s winner of the men’s final, credits his tennis success to his plant-based diet. Though he’s not alone, female competitors such as Venus and Serena Williams have also credited a vegan diet for improved health, high energy levels and faster recovery times.
Djokovic prefers to source his energy from vegetable, fruits, and proteins rather than meat or dairy. A 2019 German study, reported in the journal Nutrients found that athletes following a plant based diet with B12 supplements had higher nutrient adequacy than those that were meat eaters. What’s more is a plant based diet, low in saturated fat and cholesterol, helps to improve blood viscosity, meaning more oxygen can reach the muscles, thus improving performance.
Dates are a particularly beneficial plant ingredient to aid athletic performance. They are low on the Glycaemic Index (GI) due to natural plant fibre, helping to slow down sugar absorption into the body, so you’re provided with a steady source of energy rather than a burst and a crash.
They are also a brilliant source of potassium. The key benefits of potassium are that it improves heart rate, blood pressure, muscle growth and the body’s fluid retention. The sustained release of carbs refills the body’s glycogen, the main source of energy expended during intense exercise. Potassium also rebalances electrolytes lost through sweat during physical activity, which is what helps to prevent muscle cramps and aid recovery.
As the UK & Europe’s date supplier we can help you source dates for your plant based food products to enhance athletic performance. If you would like some more information or to arrange some samples, one of our team will be happy to help you choose the right ingredient for your products.
Call us on 0333 023 7876 or email info@globalfoodsuk.com
