Potatoes can boost your exercise performance
Potatoes can boost your exercise performance: Study
Potatoes
have always had a bad reputation. Most of us consider them as
fattening. But the findings of this new study might surprise you.
According to a new study, consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works exactly well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes.
According to a new study, consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise works exactly well as a commercial carbohydrate gel in sustaining blood glucose levels and boosting performance in trained athletes.
How potatoes can boost performance?
Potatoes
are one of the best bets for athletes as they are a cost-effective,
rich in nutrients and whole food source of carbohydrates. The study was
published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
Another good thing about potatoes is they serve as a savoury race fuel option as compared to the high sweetness of the carbohydrate gels.
Another good thing about potatoes is they serve as a savoury race fuel option as compared to the high sweetness of the carbohydrate gels.
The study
The
research included 12 participants who were healthy, fit and devotes for
sports. These people bicycled for an average of 265 kilometres every
week. To qualify for the trials, these athletes had to reach a specific
threshold for aerobic fitness and complete the 120-minute cycling
challenge followed by a time trial.
All the participants were randomly assigned one of the three conditions during the experiment – either they would consume water alone or a commercially available carbohydrate gel or an equivalent amount of carbohydrates from potatoes.
Throughout the exercise, blood glucose levels of participants, core body temperature, exercise intensity, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms were checked. The concentrations of lactate, which is a metabolic marker of intense exercise.
All the participants were randomly assigned one of the three conditions during the experiment – either they would consume water alone or a commercially available carbohydrate gel or an equivalent amount of carbohydrates from potatoes.
Throughout the exercise, blood glucose levels of participants, core body temperature, exercise intensity, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms were checked. The concentrations of lactate, which is a metabolic marker of intense exercise.
Result
There
was no difference between the performance levels of cyclists who got
their carbohydrates by ingesting potatoes or recommended amount of gels.
There was a significant boost in the performance of the two groups
except for the one that only consumed water.
Observation
As
per the study, the plasma glucose concentrations went up by the same
amount in those consuming potatoes and carbohydrate gels.