Great athletes are not made, they are created. And one key component to any athlete’s performance is what they put into their bodies. Food is the fuel to not only give your athlete energy, but also speed up recovery, reduce inflammation, and help brain function and focus. UCLA athletic performance dietitian, Lauren Papanos shares her top 5 Superfoods for athletes.
Rich in polyphenols/antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress from exercise.
Contains leucine, an amino acid that is essential to the recovery process post-exercise. Organic is best, if possible, to eliminate any potential antibiotic/hormone residue from cows.
Rich in bromelain, an enzyme that assists with the healing process, especially during injury.
A lot omega 3’s to aid in the recovery and repair process by reducing inflammation. Wild is best, if possible, it is a richer source of natural omega 3 and does not contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)-chemicals.)
The melatonin and anthocyanin’s reduce exercise induced inflammation.
