There are sound, scientific reasons that more and more
athletes are becoming vegan to improve their performance. This will work for you too! You can improve your golf game, increase your
stamina for tennis and swimming, and improve your overall enjoyment of life. Here is why according to Neal Barnard, M.D. Founder
of Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
Reduced
Blood Viscosity and Improved Tissue Oxygenation
In the course of athletic activity, blood viscosity
(“thickness”) often increases, which causes a progressive loss of tissue oxygenation,
potentially degrading athletic performance.
Reduced viscosity, which can be achieved through plant-based diet,
improves tissue oxygenation, reduces heart rate during exercise, and reduces
dehydration. In a study of 48
individuals following vegan eating patterns, blood viscosity was significantly
lower.
Improved
Blood Flow
Atherosclerosis reduces blood flow not only to the
coronary arteries, but also to other parts of the body. By the age of 20,
approximately 10 percent of the population in developed countries has advanced
atherosclerotic lesions in the abdominal aorta, reducing blood flow and
contributing to disc degeneration and lower back pain. Similarly, atherosclerosis can reduce blood
flow to the legs, the brain, and other parts of the body. Plant based diets have been shown to reverse
atherosclerosis, increasing blood flow to all parts of the body.
Reduced
Inflammation
Inflammation occurs not only in the artery walls
contributing to atherosclerosis, but also in the joints and the soft tissues of
the body. A 2017 review published in Public Health Nutrition found that vegan
diets reduce inflammation. Researchers
reviewed 18 prior studies, finding that individuals who followed a vegan diet
for at least two years lowered their serum levels of C-reactive protein, a
biomarker of inflammation, compared with those who did not follow a vegan diet.
To learn more about why eating fruits, vegetables,
grains and legumes are the ultimate power foods for athletes, visit PCRM.org/Athletes.
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