Why Spices are Good for Athletes

Spices have long added flavour to our meals. In fact, many people consider them as gold in the kitchen. Aside from flavouring though, spices are also good for the body, especially to athletes. They contain antioxidants that sports enthusiasts need to fight a considerable amount of free radicals that are normally released during endurance training and events. These free radicals make athletes susceptible to cramps, muscle inflammation, tendon soreness, and other sports-related injuries. They are also responsible for overtraining symptoms such as fatigue, depression, headaches, insomnia, moodiness, and decreased immunity.

In a survey published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, spices were discovered to have the highest antioxidant activity of all food types, which included healthy selections such as fruits and vegetables. They were also found to be full of natural anti-inflammatory compounds and other phytonutrients.

In another survey, 20 female and male bicyclists were chosen as subjects for an experiment. In this study, they took a formulation of 22 different spices in form of a food supplement for one month. The results were positive and outstanding. Most of the athletes experienced a noteworthy improvement in their post-ride recovery rate. They felt less pain in their joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They were also able to bike faster and longer, indicating an increase in stamina and a reduction of overtraining symptoms. In addition, the respondents observed that they have a higher energy level, greater tolerance to colds and flu, and enhanced concentration and memory. These findings concluded that spices are indeed very beneficial to athletes.