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Why do they eat bananas?! | |
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What nutritional value do players get from consuming bananas during breaks in play?
Simon, 22, Lincoln
Firstly I'll have to start with the disclaimer that I'm a tennis coach not a nutritionist, so I apologise if my knowledge is a little basic!! Bananas are a good source of carbohydrate and potassium. During long matches player's energy levels can drop so they need to refuel. To do this they need to take on carbohydrate so they eat bananas. There is however increasing research that shows that your body takes so long to digest a banana that the player never gets the energy benefit until after the match. As a result more players are now taking their carbohydrate in liquid form (sports drinks) as the body can absorb this more quickly. Players will also loose potassium during a long match. Lack of potassium can bring on cramp. So another reason for eating bananas is to replenish the body's reserves of potassium.
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