Isotonic drinks, protein bars or muscle powder: a wide range of special sports nutrients. Manufacturers promise better performance or faster regeneration. However, according to a recent study, these effects of sports nutrition have not been scientifically proved.
“This is a very expensive way to drink milk.” Nutritionist professor Mike lean (University of Glasgow) doesn’t think much about sports nutrition, especially protein milkshake. According to the manufacturer, they should strengthen muscles. The sports nutrition advertisement promises: “protein milkshake can increase muscle” or “isotonic drink can recover faster”. Many leisure athletes believe in the manufacturer’s commitment and try to improve their sports performance through special sports nutrition.
Sports nutrition: researchers examine advertising promises
But it’s not just Professor lean who is skeptical. Dr. Carl heneghan of Oxford University and his team studied the effects of special sports nutrition. He asked more than 100 fitness product manufacturers to conduct scientific research to support their advertising. However, only one company responded and provided heneghan with the investigation.
However, these studies failed to convince heneghan and his team. Only three studies are of such high quality that scientists can analyze them. It is in these studies that the effect of sports nutrition cannot be confirmed. “The quality of the test is poor,” heneghan said on a medical trip to the UK. “It worries me.”
Sports nutrition: insufficient information provided by manufacturers
The information published by sports nutrition manufacturers on their websites is also not scientifically proven. “Half of the manufacturers didn’t provide evidence of their commitment. When they put forward hypothetical evidence, it’s mostly bad scientifically,” heneghan said. “This makes it almost impossible for consumers to understand the advantages and disadvantages of sports nutrition.”
Sports nutrition: Yes or no?
Debora Cohen, a scientist in heheheghan’s team, summarized these findings: “this is the victory of marketing over science.” She also criticized colleagues who were too close to manufacturers. Cohen’s advice for successful training: “it’s best to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.” Special sports nutrition is redundant.