One for the Road?

In the 1904 St Louis Olympics British Born Thomas Hicks won the gold medal with the help of a boosting drink of raw egg white and brandy! However as the cocktail did also include the now banned stimulatory neurotoxin strychnine I think we can dismiss the idea that it was the alcohol that acted as a  performance enhancer!

The Portuguese Runner Antonio Pinto winner of the London Marathon for the 3rd time in 2000  and owner of a vineyard is said to drink a bottle of his own red wine every day.

How do you know if or when alcohol might be having a detrimental effect on both your training and health?

 

THE FACTS

DRINKING IN EXCESS

Drinking excessively the night before training or an event is likely to result in reduced energy levels and poor performance.

Dehydration

Alcohol interferes with the mechanisms that regulate the body’s water levels. Ability to cool the body through sweating is inhibited. The blood becomes more viscous slowing oxygen delivery to the muscles.

read more

Are Smoothies a Healthy Alternative to Fizzy Drinks?

Across the world fruit smoothies are being promoted as a guilt free beverage to replace fizzy drinks. Not only do they taste good but it is claimed that a 250 ml serving can give you up to 2 of your 5 a day.  To profit from the popularity of smoothies the big drinks manufactures have been acquiring juice companies. Innocent is now part of Coca Cola UK.

Are smoothies better for us than fizzy drinks?

In a recent report Professor Barry Popkins of the University of North Carolina has warned that smoothies and fruit juices are the ‘new danger’ in the battle against obesity. “Pulped up smoothies do nothing good for us but give us the same amount of sugar as 4 to 6 oranges or a large coke”.

read more