Assessing your hydration status

Did you know you can easily and quickly assess your hydration status? A systematic review shows that urine color is widely used to determine hydration levels in various populations, including athletes. The darker the urine, the less hydrated you are!

Dietary fiber and health

Today, people are being diagnosed with chronic diseases at higher rates. Dietary fiber can play an important role in health as it can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and intestinal diseases. This important nutrient can be found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains and can be incorporated into your diet in…

Kiwifruit for better recovery

Poor sleep and recovery can negatively impact training for many athletes causing an increase in the risk of injury and worsening sport performance. With many athletes looking for ‘functional food’ to aid in recovery and sleep, a recent study highlights kiwifruits potential benefits for sleep in athletes.

Understanding women’s perspectives on nutrition and physical activity during pregnancy

Excessive gestational weight gain poses risks, yet adherence to healthy diet and physical activity during pregnancy remains low. Through 20 focus groups involving 66 women from the Be Healthy in Pregnancy trial, this study explores women’s views on nutrition and physical activity, revealing barriers such as competing priorities, limited information access, and pregnancy symptoms. Findings…

Getting moving during the workday

Given that much of modern work involves sedentary sitting positions, it’s crucial to consider the potential detrimental impacts of prolonged sitting on health. Recent research highlights how various activities can influence our blood sugar levels after meals. Taking short breaks from sitting can aid in lowering blood sugar, with slow-paced walking offering even greater benefits.

Hydration for kidney and metabolic function

Hydrating a healthy amount is associated with lots of short-and long-term beneficial health effects, especially for kidney and metabolic function. A recent study finds that around 2.5 to 3.5 litres per day of water should be consumed in order to ensure optimal hydration.

Caffeine and sport performance

Caffeine is a popular stimulant consumed by people all around the world. Recent research suggests that both caffeinated sports drinks and energy drinks can enhance several aspects of sports performance. While caffeinated sports drinks are found to be particularly beneficial during prolonged exercise, energy drinks may be better suited for providing a pre-exercise caffeine boost.

Ecological alternatives for protein

While many popular protein sources for athletes exist such as red meats and chicken, there is a growing need for more ecological sources of protein. Insect-based protein could be a game-changer in athletes’ nutrition, offering a potential alternative to traditional supplements.

How sports team initiatives shape fans’ eating habits

Did you know that a sports team’s promotion of plant-based foods can influence their fans’ eating habits? Studies reveal fans with a strong identification to their team are more inclined to adopt a diet rich in vegetables and less in meat when they’re aware of the team’s pro-environmental food initiatives. By fostering a sense of…

Balancing Act: Navigating weight cutting in sports for athlete well-being  

Weight cutting in sport sounds harsh because it is. As a U19 national champion wrestler with international experience and a mixed martial artist, I have first-hand experience losing weight in a short amount of time to compete in my desired category. And I can tell you that it is both mentally and physically daunting.    My…