Importance of Bananas for athletes

Bananas are easy and quick to eat, that’s why they’re a hit with sportspeople, before, during, and after sport. A banana smoothie with its protein and carbs, is the perfect energy boost. But there’s a lot more to bananas than just carbs and protein. They also provide the body with vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C, and there’s absolutely no fat.

The best banana for any athlete is one starting to spot. This is because a lot of the starch has broken down to natural sugars, making it both sweeter and quicker to digest. The sugars can then readily replace the glycogen stores in the muscle and the glucose burned during an event.

IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS IN BANANAS

Carbohydrate

Bananas have long been a favourite with athletes and active people. That’s because the carbohydrate in a banana becomes glucose in the blood providing an excellent source of long lasting muscle energy. The carbohydrate will also help replace muscle fuel stores after exercise and that makes bananas a great recovery food. A high-carbohydrate diet reduces endurance while a low carbohydrate diet reduces endurance. Wholesome carbohydrate sources like bananas also help keep blood sugar levels normal.

Magnesium

Another mineral that is found in the banana is magnesium, which is involved in more than 300 enzyme systems in the body, and is especially important in energy generation in the muscles.

Potassium

The potassium found in bananas plays an essential role in muscle function. Deficiencies in potassium can lead to abnormal cramping and discomfort. During exercise, your body loses potassium through sweat, and prolonged periods of physical activity can significantly reduce your potassium levels. By eating bananas during and after exercise, potassium levels can be restored.

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.

EAT AT A PROPER TIME

Like most things in life, timing is crucial. If you plan to eat a banana before you exercise, try and do it an hour before to allow for sufficient time for digestion. Eating right before you exercise will direct blood flow to your stomach and intestines to assist digestion rather than directing blood flow to your muscles and maximising performance.

OTHER BENEFITS OF BANANAS

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.

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 are 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.