What is more beneficial while doing intense sports , for example cycling, consuming bananas or drinking sugary isotonic drinks? This is the question asked by David C. Nieman and his colleagues at the Appalachian State University Human Performance Laboratory (USA). Their studies reveal that, while both options equally improve endurance and physical performance, providing abundant energy to athletes, bananas have additional nutritional benefits that isotonic drinks lack . Specifically, the banana contains fiber, potassium and vitamin B6, in addition to antioxidants. And the sugars it provides are healthier, according to the authors published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Scientists have calculated that trained cyclists should take half a banana every 15 minutes during a 2.5 to 3 hour run of 75 kilometers.
