Bananas are a healthier source of carbohydrates than energy drinks and can provide a similar – if not better – array of nutrients, according to a study by scientists at Appalachian State University.
Dr David Nieman, director of the human performance lab and a member of the College of Health Sciences faculty at Appalachian, said: 'We found that not only was performance the same whether bananas or sports drinks were consumed, there were several advantages to consuming bananas.'
The research, which was funded by Dole Foods and published in online journal PLoS ONE, saw trained cyclists given either a carbohydrate liquid or half a banana at regular intervals during an intensive simulated road race.
Resulting blood samples showed that bananas – a source of fibre, potassium and vitamin B6 – 'support athletic performance just as well as a sports drink'.
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