Common Sports Nutrition Myths (cont.)
Another myth maintains that eating sugar, honey, soft drinks, or a candy bar just before competition is an excellent way to get quick energy. Sugary foods eaten prior to competition do not provide quick energy. Most energy used for physical activity or competition come from foods eaten days before and has been stored as muscle glycogen or fat. This is the source of energy for athletic performance.
There is also the opposite notion that eating sugary foods just prior to activity will cause a rise in insulin, and then a rapid lowering of blood sugar, which will lead to a sense of feeling “groggy” or low in energy. There is no evidence to support this. Adding a little syrup or fruit to pancakes, or having a glass of juice will not impede performance. On the other hand, large quantities of sugary foods, like glazed doughnuts, that offer very little other nutritional value, will not help in the steady release of energy needed by active people.
There is a growing belief that special supplements improve athletic performance. Bee pollen, ginseng, and brewers yeast are examples of these “ergogenic aids” which are reported to improve performance. Most of these supplements are expensive, bear no evidence that they directly improve performance, and may even be harmful. The quality of these supplements is also of concern. The FDA does not at this time test them for content and purity.