RUNNING

PROBABLY THE BEST THING EVER INVENTED

MAN I could really just rave about how great running is but that's for a different website. Here's some ideas on how to keep yourself moving when you're really pushin...

beets

beets are great for your cardiovascular system. Beets are a nitrate (NO3) rich vegetable. When nitrate enters your system, its converted into Nitric Oxide (No) and nitric oxide helps deliver oxygen to your muscles. Its opens up your blood vessels so oxygen can take a nice smooth ride. So your muscles will be stronger, your heart rate will be lower, and help your lungs. It's so cool!!!!!!!! Often times, before a race, I take a beet shot. I actually hate beets so this is a good way to get it down.

cherries

This puppies are great for recovery!!!!! When we work out super hard, our bodies are sad because they don't have enough oxygen (huffin and puffin). This leads to all sorts of madness (free radical production, lactic acid, inflammation). Lots of runners anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen. These guys inhibit the production of enzyme cox-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) which is responsible for inflammation and pain. BUT GUESS WHO ELSE CAN DO THAT!! cherries woo!!!!!! Drinking cherry juice before an intense workout can help you recover faster. pretty neat! Combine cherries and beets in a preworkout smoothie and get all sorts of benefits:)

coconut water

You drink too much water, you don't drink enough water, you lack electrolytes, you pee it all out...what ever your hydration problem is, coconut water can fix it. Full of appropriate ratios of potassium and sodium, coconut water will get water in your cells and help you retain it too. This will keep your muscles from cramping up, you brain functioning, and your body moving. 

bananas 

Erin duncan may or may not be 98% banana. Loaded with potassium, bananas are an amazing electrolyte! Eat them before, during, or after a workout-there always there for you. There's two types of people in this world - green banana eaters and brown banana eaters. So what's the difference?! bananas chemically alter when they ripen. More green bananas have a highly resistant starch content. So glucose is not released in the small intestine rather in the large intestine (helps with nutrient absorption). This can often leave you a little bit bloated and gasyyyy!! Brown bananas, however, convert a lot fo that resistant starch into sugar. The simple sugar can be digested quicker so the energy can be used quicker (high glycemic index). Brown bananas also have a higher content of antioxidants