Antioxidants in sport
People with intense physical activity, such as athletes, typically have very accelerated metabolic processes. The cells and thus the tissues of athletes require much more energy, so the processes of nutrient breakdown and utilization occur much more intensely than in people who are moderately physically active.
This accelerated metabolism increases the formation of free oxygen radicals, which are very aggressive and harmful molecules to the body. To block and neutralize harmful free radicals, athletes need a large quantity of high-quality natural antioxidants, whose task is to neutralize free radicals before they can initiate disease processes and so-called oxidative stress.
Athletes have significantly increased muscle work. All activities in the body are directed towards providing sufficient energy and oxygen for muscle work. The respiratory system adapts to this with accelerated breathing. The depth of inhalation and the frequency of breaths increase. The cardiovascular system adapts by making the heart work harder and faster to increase blood circulation throughout the body. Blood supplies oxygen and all necessary nutrients to the muscles and other organs performing increased work. During physical exertion, the heart can increase blood pumping by 5–6 times.
Likewise, the kidneys work with increased power, and the removal of increased heat is accelerated through the skin via the sweating process. Blood flow through active muscles can increase up to 20 times as needed. Significant vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) occurs in active muscles. With increased oxygen consumption in the muscles, an excess of free oxygen radicals is also formed in the muscles.
The impulses for these changes in an athlete's body come from the cerebral cortex and from centers in the brain that ensure activities beyond our conscious awareness, and therefore many of these processes occur completely at an unconscious level, meaning autonomously or reflexively.
Well-trained athletes have a greater ability to absorb oxygen from the blood, meaning so-called anaerobic conditions occur later in the body. At a certain level of muscle activity, oxygen consumption can no longer increase (oxygen supply has reached its maximum), and at that point, so-called anaerobic processes begin in the muscles, where lactate is formed and accumulates in the muscles, and in this phase, the formation of free radicals is even more increased, and thus the need for antioxidants is even greater.
Later, in the resting period, lactate is broken down, but the process of lactate breakdown takes a certain amount of time. This process also requires antioxidants.
Severe physical exertion, which is common in athletes, acts as stress on the body, and this fact also contributes to an even greater production of free radicals. The more exertion an athlete is exposed to and the longer the period of intense sports activities, the greater the need for various antioxidants.
Therefore, if an excess of free radicals is produced in the body, oxidative stress occurs. Oxidative stress, in turn, is a trigger for disease processes. Unfortunately, we do not feel this in the early stage, and so disease processes begin silently and unrecognizably. The harmful effects of free radicals only become apparent when more serious damage occurs, a disease develops, and then we begin to feel the consequences of free radical activity as the symptoms of the disease begin to appear and escalate. Therefore, it is so important to regularly provide the body with various antioxidants so that free radicals are neutralized on an ongoing basis and the initial disease processes, which we do not yet feel in the first phase, are prevented.
This process of stopping disease processes at the very beginning is most effective; we are talking about disease prevention in a healthy organism. Once a disease process is triggered, stopping harmful processes is much less effective than in the early stage.
The basis for introducing various antioxidants into the body is a balanced mixed diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. When the need for antioxidants increases, as it does with intense physical activity, it is necessary to provide various antioxidants through dietary supplements that contain high-quality and diverse antioxidants. The condition is that these antioxidants are offered to the body in their natural composition with all auxiliary minerals and elements that a natural food contains. Only then can antioxidants successfully reach the cells and effectively block free radicals within them.
It is also very important that the athlete is constantly physically active and therefore well-trained. Severe exertion in untrained individuals leads to significant oxidative stress.
However, even a well-trained athlete needs an increased intake of antioxidants. Every physical exertion requires a greater oxygen intake, an increased need for energetic components, and proportionally, an increased need for quality, diverse antioxidants. It is important to provide the body with antioxidants in natural forms to prevent the aggressive action of free oxygen radicals, which are an undesirable and harmful side effect of physical exertion.
Natural antioxidants are certainly an excellent guarantee that such oxidative stresses will not occur. For a top or recreational athlete, this means that they will be able to cope with great efforts more easily and that unnecessary health conditions will not arise, which can be a very disruptive factor, especially for top athletes,
in achieving top results.
With diverse natural antioxidants, the body can better withstand greater efforts, and moreover, preventive consumption of all diverse and high-quality antioxidants ensures that health conditions will not arise.
Did you know?
- Royal Recognition: Queen Victoria of England so adored mangosteen that she reportedly offered a knighthood to anyone who could bring her fresh mangosteens.
- Seasonal Delight: Mangosteen trees take 10-15 years to bear fruit, which is typically harvested during the rainy season.
- Mystical Properties: In some cultures, mangosteen is believed to possess mystical properties that bring health and good fortune.
- Sweet Counterpart to Durian: While durian is known as the "king of fruits" due to its strong smell and taste, mangosteen is considered the "queen of fruits" for its delicate flavor and aroma.
- Scientific Marvel: The mangosteen tree is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants, which is a rarity among flowering plants.
Mangosteen in Cooking
In addition to being enjoyed fresh, mangosteen is also used in various culinary applications:
- Juices and smoothies: Mangosteen is a popular addition to drinks due to its taste and health benefits.
- Desserts: The taste of mangosteen enhances desserts such as sorbets, ice creams, and fruit salads.
- Sauces and dressings: The fruit can be used to create exotic sauces and dressings that add a tropical touch to dishes.
Why choose XAN-MAX mangosteen juice?
We believe in the power of natural ingredients to promote health and well-being, and our products are designed to support our customers' well-being. We are committed to the highest standards of purity in our products, which are completely free of preservatives, additives, and are undiluted.
Our long-term mission is to improve the well-being of our customers with a truly natural and pristine mangosteen drink that preserves the rich nutrients and unique taste of this fruit. We want to make self-care a top priority, as it impacts the quality of life in all areas.
