Potatoes perform for athletes

POTATOES can boost performance during exercise and recovery afterwards as much as commercial enhancement products, new information reveals.

The Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE), a not-for-profit organisation, has funded three studies. All showed that potato consumption can effectively support athletes' performances, whether carried out before, during or after a workout, supporting muscle building and recovery. 

Consuming potato protein isolate throughout the day for two weeks, including before resistance exercise, was found to increase muscle protein synthesis in women. Potato-based products consumed following a 90-minute cycling trial helped replenish muscle glycogen stores and support subsequent exercise as effectively as many sports supplements. 

Many athletes, particularly female, have lower energy intakes and consume less than the recommended amount of daily carbohydrates when training intensively. There was no notable difference noted from common sport supplments and potato-based food plans in post-exercise muscle glycogen recovery and performance.

Potato protein was proven to be an effective option for exercise regimens and muscle protein synthesis.

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay