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Can caffeine harm performance?
Caffeine is a widely used supplement used to enhance performance in endurance, strength and combat sports. Today we’ll discuss the flip side: Can caffeine harm performance? What is caffeine? Caffeine is a substance that “occurs naturally in foods, such as coffee, tea and cocoa and has a long history of safe use as a mild stimulant. Products are also available with added caffeine, including cola-type soft drinks, formulated caffeinated beverages (energy drinks) and energy shots.”(1) How can caffeine harm performance? Physiological effects of caffeine Doses within the recommended doses of 3-6mg/kg of body weight can increase heart rate and blood pressure, diminish attention (2) and cause anxiety (3). Some supplements…
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Caffeine for combat sports
Caffeine is one of the few ergogenic substances backed by science, but it has different effects depending on the type of exercise. While its effects on endurance and strength have been widely studied, the role of caffeine for combat sports remains relatively unknown. What are combat sports? Combat sports is a broad category of disciplines that involve one-to one fighting. This includes traditional martial arts, such as taekwondo and judo, but also boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA) and fencing. Combat sports can involve grappling, striking, or a combination of both. Recommendations for caffeine supplementation Common recommendations for caffeine as a performance-enhancing supplement are 3-6mg per kg bodyweight…
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Sports supplements intake in Australia
In this article we will look at some statistics regarding sports supplements intake in Australia. As you may know, sports supplements are widely consumed worldwide. They are taken by athletes and the general public for a variety of perceived or expected benefits. Sports supplements According to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.4, a formulated supplementary sports foods is “a product that is specifically formulated to assist sports people in achieving specific nutritional or performance goals.” (1) Based on the same legislation, sports supplements may contain vitamins or minerals under certain restrictions, amino acids or other compounds used as a nutritive substance also under certain restrictions. Per…
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Protein timing and quantity for building muscle
Protein intake is essential for muscle synthesis and repair. The digestion process breaks down protein into amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle and many other components of our body. We have explored protein quality in a previous article. Today we will focus on protein timing and quantity for building muscle. How much protein in total? The total protein requirement depends on many, many things. I won’t go into any detail in this article and just say the range is typically anywhere between 0.8 and 2 grams (g) of protein per kilogram (kg) of body weight. How much protein per meal? The optimal dose of protein for muscle…
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Product review: Edge Electrolytes
Hydration is very important for athletes but water alone is not enough; you need to replenish the electrolytes that are lost in sweat. Edge Electrolytes is a new product in the Australian market of hydration sports supplements. Read on to find out what is special about Edge. Edge Electrolytes The product is manufactured by Pure Aussie Sport and comes as a powder in single-serve sachets that can be bought individually or in boxes of 12. Edge is unique because it’s made with concentrated ocean water, which provides more than 70 essential minerals, including magnesium, sodium and potassium. If this doesn’t sound appealing to your tastebuds, you’ll be pleased to know…
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Product review: Every Body Every Day Gut Performance
I was introduced to Every Body Every Day Gut Performance by a friend and client who has found great relief from digestive issues using this product. This is a supplement designed to improve gut health and, despite its name, it’s not only targeted to the athletic population. Gut Performance The product claims to help balance the gut microbiome, lower the glycaemic index of food, and help with weight loss, bloating, nutrient absorption and gut inflammation. In addition, the beetroot extract is meant to aid with muscle performance. The supplement s gluten free, low FODMAP and does not contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Ingredients Sugarcane stem…
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Eating in Israel for fuel and pleasure
I recently came back from a week-long Krav Maga training camp in Israel. This was my first time in Israel and my first time participating in a training camp of any kind. However, I had an idea of the format and intensity based on the instructors course I did in February. I had also done some research on food availability and pricing in Tel Aviv. This post summarises my experience on eating in Israel for fuel and pleasure. Previous experience My previous experience with Israeli cuisine included shawarma, shakshuka, hummus and falafel. However, I was unsure of how much better they’d be in their county of origin. On the other…
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Beer as a rehydration drink
Beer is a popular “post-workout” drink. It is not commonly treated as a sports supplement by athletes but as a post-competition reward and social lubricant. Is there any merit in using beer as a rehydration drink? Rehydration Rehydration is essential for recovery and performance. Athletes can lose large amounts of fluids and electrolytes through sweat during training and competition, which need to be replaced accordingly. Thus, rehydration beverages should contain water, sodium, potassium and carbohydrate (1, 2). Sodium and carbohydrate are of particular importance because they help absorb and retain water (2). The actual amounts of each component will depend on the type of event, etc. (1). Nutrients in beer…
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Eating for training and competition
Nobody would think about running 10km as preparation for an Olympic weightlifting meet. You should be polishing off your lifts and throwing in some max days to simulate competition day. This should translate seamlessly to nutrition. However, many athletes overlook their nutrition strategy and show up to competition with no plan. Eating for training and competition require the same amount of thought. If you are planning to participate in any kind of sporting event, from amateur to elite-level competitions, you should have a nutrition strategy in place. This includes non-competitive events such as martial arts gradings. As you will see below, your nutrition strategy is unique to you because it…
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Product review: Prepd Hydration
I first heard about Prepd Hydration from the Sports Dietitians Australia newsletter. These performance drinks are certified by HASTA, which means they do not contain any banned substances. These products have been developed in partnership with researchers at Flinders University. The drinks Prepd Hydration drinks come in 2 varieties: Prime and Recover. These are designed to be taken pre- and post-event, respectively. Both types come in 2 flavours: mango + passionfruit and strawberry + kiwi. All beverages come in 350ml bottles and are ready to drink. Prime contains resistant starch to improve fluid uptake. They should be consumed 6-18 hours before exercise. Recover contain the electrolyte needed to replenish fluids…
