Athletic Performance and Phytonutrients

During their training and competition schedules, athletes put their muscles under a lot of stress. Sports nutrition plays an important role in identifying and modifying nutritional stressors associated with muscle damage. Nutrition strategies that aid recovery from exercise-induced negative effects, like phytonutrients, can help promote better physiological adaptations, help muscles recover after exercise and make it easier to return to training more quickly

What are phytonutrients?

Plants contain phytonutrients, which are compounds that provide plants with their characteristic flavours and scents. Their beneficial effects on human health include their ability to protect humans against chronic diseases and their role in preventing cancer and heart disease. These phytonutrients have also been shown to enhance athletic performance, especially after intensive training.

Phytonutrients are one of the latest trends in sports nutrition.

The future of phytonutrients

Phytonutrients found in superfoods provide many benefits. Whole foods are the ultimate goal, but modern humans require convenience, portability, and affordability, which prevent them from eating whole foods at every meal and snack. Supplementing your daily diet with superfoods is convenient and healthy.

Phytonutrients: 9 effects on the body

The importance of phytonutrients in maintaining health and preventing disease cannot be overstated. Phytonutrients serve nine essential functions:

1. Phytonutrients act as antioxidants- They act as scavengers of free radicals, which are produced in the body both during normal metabolism and during exercise. Antioxidants neutralise these free radicals, preventing their damage.
2. Phytonutrients have an anti-inflammatory effect – Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of ailments ranging from connective tissue disease to cancer.
3. Phytonutrients enhance immunity – they also help to balance the immune system by keeping it from becoming too overactive or too under-active. Under-active immune systems are more likely to cause infections and cancer, while overactive immune systems may lead to autoimmune diseases.
4. Phytonutrients have anti-cancer effects – Certain phytonutrients have been found to help repair mutated genes that lead to cancer by repairing DNA.
5. Phytonutrients have neuro-protective effects – There is evidence that phytonutrients may be beneficial to people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
6. Phytonutrients can block the formation of carcinogens – Some phytonutrients can prevent substances in the environment or food from becoming carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
7. Phytonutrients regulate hormones.
8. Phytonutrients have anti-ageing effects.
9. Phytonutrients are used to treat disease.

Superfoods and phytonutrients

Let’s have a look at some Annique Superfoods making a leap into the future and assisting people, especially athletes and active people, with the benefits of phytonutrients:

Superfood Purple

Ingredients

• Bilberry
• Pomegranate
• Acai
• Elderberry
• Aronia berry
• Montmorency cherry
• Red beetroot
• Lucuma
• Goji berry
• Rooibos

Benefits:

• Protects against free radicals
• Reduces inflammation
• Enhances heart health
• Lowers blood pressure

Superfood Green

Ingredients

• Morniga
• Spirulina
• Grapeseed
• Rhodiola Rosea
• Ashwaghanda
• Kale
• Green Rooibos

Benefits:

• Powerful antioxidants
• Anti-inflammatory
• Lowers cholesterol

Superfood Brown

Ingredients

• Cordyceps
• Reishi
• King Trumpet
• Shiitake
• Lion’s Mane
• Turkey Tail
• Green Rooibos

Benefits:

• Boosts exercise performance
• Stress support
• Endurance support
• Prevents adrenal fatigue

Superfood White

Ingredients

• Garlic
• Green Rooibos

Benefits:

• Boosts immune system
• Natural antibiotic
• Natural detox

Superfood Yellow

Ingredients

• Curcumin (from turmeric)
• Beta carotene
• Ginger
• Lutein

Benefits:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Essential for skin and eye health
• Soothes arthritis
• Promotes digestion