Looking for a way to put some oomph into your fitness routine? Then, reach for an orange the next time hunger strikes. According to a new study, eating foods rich in antioxidants may boost your endurance.
Researchers found that consuming a specific type of antioxidant called quercetin helped study participants exercise longer and harder. The study featured 12 fit college students, who were not regular exercisers. At the beginning of the study, researchers measured the students’ maximum oxygen uptake and the number of minutes they could ride a stationary bike.
For 7 days, the college coeds followed their regular routines and diet, but drank Tang plus a placebo, twice daily. For another 7-day period, the participants drank Tang containing 500 milligrams of quercetin. Researchers then measured the volunteers’ maximum oxygen uptake and exercise endurance. This process was repeated after another 7-day period when study participants drank Tang without quercetin.
According to researchers, the quercetin supplement periods were associated with a modest increase in maximum oxygen uptake. Quercetin was also credited with giving study participants the energy to ride 13 times longer on the exercise bikes.
After examining the study’s results, researchers concluded that quercetin appeared to boost exercise endurance. Experts also noted that the findings suggest quercetin “may be important in relieving fatigue that keeps (people) sedentary.”
If you are looking to duplicate the results of the study, consider adding more quercetin to your diet. The compound is abundant in red apples, red onions, berries, oranges, cabbage, broccoli, and green and black teas. If you don’t enjoy eating red onions by themselves, consider adding them to a salad, a stir-fry or place them on a burger. Likewise, you can place fresh berries and oranges in a smoothie or a fruit salad to receive quercetin benefits.
Related Articles:
Forget Gatorade, Grab Bowl of Chex Instead
Creating an Affordable Fitness Plan