When it comes to endurance, we generally think carbs. The runner loading up on the pre-run pasta. The cyclist with the energy gel.
We've discussed the importance of protein for runners before. Specifically, protein plays an important role in muscle recovery. Without it, musclecan be broken down for fuel during runs, and unreplenished, lead to loss of lean mass. Some runners and cyclists struggle with this, and end up looking a little too lean.
Adequate muscle mass is vital for our immune system, bone health and fighting inflammation, not to mention mortality risk- so it's definitely something we want to protect.
Now a report in Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise, the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, shows that protein does even more than protect and recover exercised muscles.
Researchers found that a high protein diet reduced stress and improved athletes' endurance performance. Athletes in the high protein group also reported feeling better.
Lead researcher Dr. Kevin Tipton theorized tyrosine may one reason protein has this effect, noting previous research on this amino acid's mood-boosting effects.
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