Bananas for Endurance Athletes

Bananas have long been a favourite source of energy for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.

Research conducted at Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in the Kannapolis-based North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) has revealed additional benefits.

Bananas provided the cyclists with antioxidants not found in sports drinks as well as a greater nutritional boost, including fibre, potassium and Vitamin B6, the study showed. In addition, bananas have a healthier blend of sugars than sports drinks.

The study, funded by Dole Foods, has been published in the peer-reviewed online journal PLoS ONE published by the nonprofit Public Library of Science.

Athletes would likely choose a banana over sports drinks, which is, after all,  flavoured sugar water.

Read more: Science Daily