From the moment you start chewing your food until it is completely digested, a lot happens that can positively or negatively influence your health, your testosterone levels, your energy and of course your physical and athletic performance. Certain natural foods in particular can have seemingly magical effects!
Top 5 foods that increase physical abilities
The foods we list here will help you stay hydrated, recover following exercise, build muscle, and increase your overall physical and mental energy levels. Some of these foods will even help you burn fat!
1 – Algae
Due to their antiviral properties high levels and their powerful antioxidants, blue-green algae like Klamath fight viruses by inactivating them. It has been shown that the blue-green algae extract taken in dietary supplement strengthens the immune system and contributes to optimal heart function. Moreover, the supplementation and klamath helps in cell regeneration as well as in the repair of damaged tissues. Klamath would also help fight inflammation thanks to its magic compound phycocyanin ; a natural COX-2 inhibitor (mediator of inflammation).
2 – Blueberries
Recent studies indicate that adding blueberries to your diet will help you get the most out of your workout.
These little blue berries provide the right nutrients and phytochemicals for reduce oxidative stress et reduce muscle pain and inflammation following exercise. They also facilitate recovery time, preventing body aches and age-related illnesses.
This fruit also contains a plethora of other constituents: dietary fiber, vitamins, proteins, immunomodulating agents, tannic acid, folic acid, antibacterial ingredients and antioxidants (1). Among these antioxidants are anthocyanines, which have potent anti-inflammatory activity. (2)
2 – Ginger
We know that testosterone is a crucial propellant hormone physical performance as well as for countless other reasons. A recent study from 2018 concluded that ginger supplementation improves testosterone in men. (3)
Another interesting study of 75 infertile Iraqi men found that treating them with ginger for three months increased testosterone levels by 17.7%. In addition to this, it also increased sperm count by 16.2% and improved sperm motility by 47.3%.
Researchers believe that ginger has this positive effect on testosterone because it increases the production ofluteinizing hormone ; a hormone essential for the release of testosterone, the reduction of oxidative stress and the simultaneous increase in blood flow to the testicles. (4)
4- Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides. Because these do not require digestive enzymes, coconut oil is absorbed directly into your body. You get fatty acids and ketones for fuel, which are much more efficient than glucose. This improves your endurance and decreases your degree of fatigue.
Coconut oil also helps manage weight helping you feel full longer. Also, it may increase the amount of “good” cholesterol in your blood, suggesting that it may improve cardiovascular health.
5- Almonds
Almonds are rich in magnesium, a nutrient involved in nearly every process affecting muscle function, including energy production, oxygen uptake, and electrolyte balance. Athletes can lose magnesium through sweating, and even a marginal deficiency in this element can impair physical performance. A good handful of almonds (regarding 23) provides 20% of your daily needs.
Almonds also contain healthy fats, proteins and fiber which are good for maintaining energy and supporting the body during exercise. Some studies have even shown that athletes are able to burn more carbs following eating almonds than with other foods. THE antioxidants contained therein are also beneficial for fight once morest oxidative stress and l’inflammation. (6)
Now that you know what to add to your diet, it’s time to take action!
References :
- Bo B. (2015). Research on the Influence of Anti-fatigue Effect and Movement Ability of Blueberry Polysaccharides on Aged Mice. Open Biomed Eng J, 9: 314–17.
- Krikorian R, Shidler MD, Nash TA, et al. (2010). Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults. J Agric Food Chem, 58(7): 3996–4000
- Saleem Ali Banihani. Ginger and Testosterone. Biomolecules. 2018
- WaleedAbid Al-Kadir Mares, Wisam S. Najam. The effect of Ginger on semen parameters and serum FSH, LH & testosterone of infertile men. The Medical Journal of Tikrit University. 2012.
- Muqing Yi.The effect of almond consumption on elements of endurance exercise performance in trained athletes. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014
