Honey and Athletic Nutrition

Optimize athletic nutrition with honey. Eating honey can help enhance sports performance by increasing energy and endurance, and decreasing recovery time.

Athletes Have Relied Upon Honey for Centuries

Honey has been an important component of athletic nutrition for thousands of years. As early as 400 B.C., Greek athletes are known to have used honey both for energy during competition, and as an aid in recovering from competition.

It’s no secret that carbohydrates are a valuable source of energy for athletes. Loading up on carbohydrates before an athletic competition is a common practice. Often, some form of carbohydrate is consumed during competition as well. Consuming carbohydrates after exercising is also important to replenish glycogen in the muscles and liver.

Honey is a particularly valuable carbohydrate source because of its composition of nearly equal parts of fructose and glucose.

Honey’s Value Demonstrated in Trials

The value of honey as a carbohydrate for athletes was demonstrated in three separate trials conducted by the University of Memphis Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory.

The trial showed that honey outperformed placebos, and outperformed or equaled all popular carbohydrate sources it was tested against, including dextrose, maltodextrin, and a popular carbohydrate gel. In most cases, honey improved power, speed, and endurance. Honey also sustained blood sugar levels consistently for longer periods of time, and resulted in greater stability of blood sugar and blood insulin levels.

Easy AND Effective

In addition to being so effective, honey also offers the advantage of being economical, easy-to-use, and great tasting.

Honey packets and honey sticks are both great ways to get a quick and easy energy boost on the go.

Honey can also be used to make homemade sports drinks and energy bars. Click here for some easy recipes.