As products with a high content of nitrates affect the effectiveness of training

We have the clear idea that nitrates - this is bad, because they handle agricultural products so that it does not spoil the pests. However, there are useful nitrates that are found in certain vegetables and herbs. The article - about how their use can have a positive impact on the results of intensive training.

Nitrates - is not only a fertilizer, which we are accustomed to hearing, but also dietary supplements (they are used in the manufacture of sausages). Also quite a lot of them found in greens, such as spinach. In recent studies conducted at the University of Leuven (Belgium), researchers found that nitrates are important for the functioning of the human body under the influence of physical activity, especially in conditions of low oxygen content in the air (during the workout mountains).

The inorganic nitrate (NO³-) represents endogenously Manufactured food product which plays a very important role in regulating blood pressure and the cardiovascular system. For example, in beet nitrate is converted into nitrogen oxide, and can positively affect your sports results.

The experiment involved 27 people with mild physical training. Three times a week before each sprint training, which consisted of short intensive cycling, they were given nitrate supplements.

To evaluate the differences in the effectiveness of training under different conditions, the study subjects were engaged with the standard level of oxygen in hypoxic conditions (low oxygen content, typical for mountainous areas).

The results of observations, published in Frontiers in Physiology, were quite unexpected: after only 5 weeks of training in hypoxia composition of muscle fibers changed.

Professor Peter Hespel (Peter Hespel) said that it is probably the first study that shows how way reception food mineral supplements can affect the changes in the composition of muscle fibers caused by training.

Particularly useful and interesting results of this study may be of athletes participating in the competitions, which are held in the highlands. Moreover, many athletes specifically to enhance the effectiveness of training periodically leave for sports camp, located in the mountains, or use special masks, which make it difficult to breath. Thus, they prepare their body to a high load and develop endurance.

In such circumstances sprint training includes work fast oxidative muscle fibers. Additional assistance to the muscle type - the use of special mineral additives - can greatly increase the effectiveness of the exercises.

However, this theory still needs some work, since it is not clear whether the increase in the number of fast oxidative muscle fibers resulting in higher efficiency of training.

At the moment, Professor Hespel said that based on the data obtained specifically prescribe athletes reception Nitrate is too early, because the long-term effects of these minerals on the human body has not been studied before end. Work in this direction is carried out, and Hespel hopes that improving the efficiency of training in the future and improve athletic the results of the coaches will be able to register their wards nitrates reception not only in the composition of greens and vegetables, but also in the form of additional additives.

List of high nitrate mineral products: spinach, beets, arugula, turnip, leaf lettuce, celery (stalks and roots), fennel, onions, leeks, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, pumpkin, cucumber, asparagus, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes (sweet potatoes), potato, onion, mushrooms.