Does a plant-based diet give you a competitive edge?

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Do athletes survive or thrive on a vegan diet?

Have you watched the documentary The Game Changers on Netflix yet? If not, do it today!

It’s a ray of positivity on the internet with so much negativity floating around.

Ever so often I am approached by concerned parents of athletes who want to go Vegan.

The parents are so worried it will affect their child’s performance, but the very opposite is really true.

I often say this to concerned parents:

‘Your child will not only survive but thrive on a plant- based diet. If you want a competitive edge and experience faster recovery, then this is the best option for your child.’

With the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger talking about how much a vegan diet has changed their lives, let’s explore how a plant-based diet can actually give you a competitive edge.

Here are 9 ways an athlete can benefit from a plant-based diet:

1. It is a proven fact that a vegan diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular, lowers blood pressure, reverses atherogenic lesions, and overall increased cardiac output.

2. A plant-based is naturally high in fiber, keeping the blood vessels unclogged and cholesterol at bay.

3. A whole food plant-based diet is also low in saturated and trans fat. Therefore, it improves blood viscosity or thickness and helps more oxygen reach the muscles, which improves athletic performance.

4. A vegan diet helps improve glycogen storage in muscle cells and improve insulin sensitivity. This is because the fiber in the gut is converted to something called SCFA's. SCFA's boost insulin sensitivity.

5. Switching to a plant-based diet alone helps drop body fat percentage without the need to count calories. Thus leading to leaner body composition.

6. A plant-based diet provides enough protein without inadequacy. A diet rich in legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds provides all the protein that an athlete needs.

7. Increased nitrate consumption, present in plants, can help with cardiovascular health, control of blood glucose, maintenance of muscle, cognitive functions, and memory.

8. Plant-based diets improve arterial flexibility and diameter, leading to better blood flow. It is unachievable with the consumption of even a single high-fat meal.

9. This diet helps decrease inflammation and speed the body's recovery after intensive training and workout sessions.

Loving you always,

Roshni Sanghvi.