Initiative seeks to show how lemons and grapefruit can help improve sports performance
Ailimpo is highlighting the benefits of regular lemon and grapefruit consumption to maintain an active lifestyle as part of its Good Move From Europe campaign.
Fronting the initiative are long-distance runners Águeda Marqués and Adrián Ben, who consume both fruits on daily basis to enhance their sports performance.
Marqués, a 1,500m finalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said: “Lemon and grapefruit are basic in my routine. In the mornings, I drink water with a splash of lemon. I also season baked fish with lemon. Its antioxidant properties help me recover after training, and vitamin C takes care of my joints and improves iron absorption, something essential for performance”.
Ben, European champion and world runner-up in the 800m, commented: “Sport is based on three pillars: training, rest and nutrition. If any of them fail, the results are not achieved. Lemon and grapefruit help me a lot in muscle recovery and endurance, thanks to the assimilation of iron facilitated by vitamin C. These are small changes that make a difference for an athlete”.
The Good Move From Europe initiative, supported by the European Union, aims to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among Spaniards aged 18 to 34 by raising awareness of the importance of eating healthily and practising sport regularly. According to the latest Eurobarometer prepared by the European Commission, four out of five young people say they are motivated to do sport, but claim to have difficulties in taking action.
“To help young people, we need to inform them and make them aware of the benefits of doing sport and eating well, give them advice on how to reduce the barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption, and increase their confidence to change on their own,” said José Antonio García, director of Ailimpo.
According to Ailimpo, lemons and grapefruit are delicious and versatile and loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient that not only strengthens the immune system, but also offers great benefits for those who practice sports.
Vitamin C plays a key role in physical recovery thanks to its properties that help combat oxidative stress after a workout. It is also essential for producing collagen, which is responsible for keeping joints healthy, and improves the absorption of iron, an essential mineral for transporting oxygen in the blood, especially in endurance sports.
For every 100g of the edible part, lemon and grapefruit provide about 50mg and 36mg respectively of vitamin C, almost half of the recommended daily amount for an adult.
Bodies such as the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (Aesan) have confirmed that vitamin C contributes to reducing fatigue and tiredness. They also highlight its ability to protect cells from oxidative damage, a substantial aspect for athletes who face greater wear and tear due to effort, but also for those seeking to maintain a constant level of activity.
In addition, the role of vitamin C in contributing to the absorption of iron, a crucial element for the transport of oxygen in the blood, has been widely recognized by the World Health Organisation. This is especially relevant in endurance sports, such as running or cycling, where performance is directly related to the level of oxygen in the muscles.
