We’ve got some berry excellent news for runners — a recent study finds that cranberries are a track star’s best friend, boosting speed by 1.5%.
“The fantastic thing about that is that it’s all natural,” senior study creator Andreas Bergdahl, an associate professor at Montreal’s Concordia University, said in a press release.
“It’s an ergogenic aid, meaning that it’s performance-enhancing, but it surely is just not an anabolic steroid,” he continued. “Athletes can get this necessary boost of their performance just by consuming more cranberries.”
The brand new paper, published in December within the Physical Activity and Nutrition journal, tracked the performances of top runners drafted from the college’s track team and native running clubs for 28 consecutive days after they consumed a cranberry complement.
Athletes underwent two trials on three separate visits. The aim of 1 long and one short run was to find out how impactful the Thanksgiving favorite was on different intensities.
Participants took the extract two hours before the run.
When observing the 1,500-meter test, “noticeable improvements” were present in performance and muscle fatigue. Within the shorter, 400-meter run, less lactate buildup was reported. Lactate is a marker for potential muscle fatigue and lack of oxygen.
Cranberry consumption was tied to raised oxygen uptake as well.
Researchers also noted that cranberries have high levels of polyphenols, a natural source of antioxidants.
“With regards to elite athletes, any advantage could make the difference between ending fifth or on the rostrum,” added Bergdahl.
We’ve got some berry excellent news for runners — a recent study finds that cranberries are a track star’s best friend, boosting speed by 1.5%.
“The fantastic thing about that is that it’s all natural,” senior study creator Andreas Bergdahl, an associate professor at Montreal’s Concordia University, said in a press release.
“It’s an ergogenic aid, meaning that it’s performance-enhancing, but it surely is just not an anabolic steroid,” he continued. “Athletes can get this necessary boost of their performance just by consuming more cranberries.”
The brand new paper, published in December within the Physical Activity and Nutrition journal, tracked the performances of top runners drafted from the college’s track team and native running clubs for 28 consecutive days after they consumed a cranberry complement.
Athletes underwent two trials on three separate visits. The aim of 1 long and one short run was to find out how impactful the Thanksgiving favorite was on different intensities.
Participants took the extract two hours before the run.
When observing the 1,500-meter test, “noticeable improvements” were present in performance and muscle fatigue. Within the shorter, 400-meter run, less lactate buildup was reported. Lactate is a marker for potential muscle fatigue and lack of oxygen.
Cranberry consumption was tied to raised oxygen uptake as well.
Researchers also noted that cranberries have high levels of polyphenols, a natural source of antioxidants.
“With regards to elite athletes, any advantage could make the difference between ending fifth or on the rostrum,” added Bergdahl.
