THE METABOLIC WINDOW: 30 MINUTES, NO MORE!
It's important to begin recovery as soon as possible after your physical activity to optimize results. This period, called the "metabolic window," is between 0 and 30 minutes after exercise.
Studies show that consuming carbohydrates within 5 to 15 minutes of stopping exercise increases the rate at which glycogen stores are replenished. The same is true for consuming protein quickly after exercise, which promotes muscle protein resynthesis.
the goals of recovery nutrition
rehydrate and remineralize the body
Whether in training or in competition, physical exertion causes a significant loss of water, especially if this effort was intense, over a long period of time, and in high temperatures. It is therefore essential to stay well hydrated after practicing a sporting activity.
Sweating also causes a significant loss of minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, etc.), so it is important to remineralize the body.
rebuild energy reserves
In order to be able to continue training sessions or competitions, it is essential to replenish carbohydrate stores. Indeed, despite the consumption of a sports drink (with a carbohydrate intake), glycogen stores (liver and muscle) will inevitably be reduced after long-term exercise.
If you do not replenish your stores after exercise, you will gradually weaken your body until you reach a state of exhaustion or overtraining.
The ideal is a glucose and fructose intake: glucose promotes the resynthesis of muscle glycogen stores and fructose the resynthesis of glycogen stores in the liver.
promote muscle reconstruction
During prolonged physical exertion, certain muscle constituents (amino acids, which are part of muscle protein), are used for the energy needed to achieve this effort. After exercise, the body automatically begins a phase of rebuilding its muscle proteins (called anabolism). For optimal effectiveness during this phase, it is recommended to provide your body with amino acids and carbohydrates. To learn how to avoid cramps you can read this article
rebalance your body's pH
Physical exertion can lead to acidification of the body.
bring antioxidants
It's important to provide your body with antioxidants because intense physical activity and endurance trigger the production of free radicals. Note that consuming an energy drink containing antioxidants can help limit this phenomenon.
What foods should you favor for good recovery?
After exercise, your body needs:
- Water.
- Carbohydrates (glucose and fructose, see also maltodextrins in combination).
- Protein (animal or vegetable): between 10 and 20g of good quality protein, easily assimilated and including all the amino acids.
- Certain minerals: potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc.
- Certain minerals: potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc. font-weight: bold;">bicarbonates: through bicarbonate drinks (e.g. Vichy, St Yorre) which will rebasify the body which has created a lot of acid during exercise, and reduce muscle aches.
- certain vitamins:B and C.
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These nutritional objectives can be achieved by consuming a recovery drink, such as Authentic Recovery. Its composition is specially designed to provide the body with everything it needs to recover optimally and allow you to continue a period of intense work: intense and repeated training sessions, training periods or competitions at close intervals. It optimizes tissue regeneration between workouts.
You can also eat solid foods such as high-protein post-workout chips, Sport Chips. Low in saturated fat, these crispy, delicious chips are a fun and comforting food after a workout!