Decoding the Role of Nutrition and Foods in Augmenting Athletes Performance: A Review

This article explores several food supplements that offer potential benefits for athletes' health, exercise adaptation, and recovery. Among these substances are omega-3 fatty acids, gelatin/collagen, probiotics, and certain dietary supplements with anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may enhance cellular and tissue resilience, supporting athletes' fitness maintenance, activity adaptation, and performance improvement. For many athletes, augmenting skeletal muscle mass and optimizing its functionality are paramount objectives. Specific exercise regimens and dietary strategies are employed within this demographic to promote muscle growth and enhance skeletal muscle remodelling. While athletic intervention techniques are typically performance-oriented, many principles are directly relevant to the skeletal muscular health of older individuals. Both ageing populations and athletes dedicate significant hours to training to achieve their respective goals. Athletes have long explored various substances to enhance their performance, driven by the competitive nature of sports. Gelatin/collagen supplements, for instance, present minimal adverse effects and serve as an economical source of amino acids, with potential benefits that outweigh associated risks. Examples like curcumin and tart cherry juice exemplify anti-inflammatory agents capable of mitigating symptoms of muscular inflammation and/or injury. However, their impact on future performance or the accelerated recovery of elite athletes remains uncertain. Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) currently lacks a definitive recommendation, necessitating further research to comprehend how muscles recuperate from damage following extended periods of inactivity.