Human beings for centuries have been using certain foods in order to enhance and their athletic performance.  Ancient Peruvian Indians would often consume maca root before a battle.  They believed that maca gave them strength and endurance and gave them the edge over their enemy. 

Fast forward a few thousand years and we can see that not much has changed.  Athletes of all skill levels and backgrounds are constantly tinkering with different supplements in hopes to gain the edge over their opponent.

Unfortunately, many athletes are opting for synthetic supplements which can be damaging to the human body when used long term.  Our ancestors were robust, healthy, and strong yet they never consumed anything synthetic or made in a lab.  They understood that the earth provided everything that they needed in order to be healthy and physically superior to their opponent or enemy.

Luckily, many of these superfoods which were used by ancient peoples are now available to the general population worldwide.  However, there is one superfood in particular that is extremely beneficial for athletic performance and that is raw Manuka honey.

How Raw Manuka benefits Athletic Performance

Raw Manuka honey coming from worker bees in New Zealand is magical stuff.  This honey literally contains almost every single nutrient needed to sustain human life.  Its high vitamin and mineral content is what truly separates Manuka honey from other honeys.

Athletes who are training day in and day out are often faced with the problem of over-training or not receiving enough nourishment to recover from the strenuous training sessions.  For this reason, many athletes will immediately consume simple carbohydrates once a training session is over.  This helps restore glycogen levels in the body and ensures there is enough stored for the next training session.

Unfortunately, many are consuming dangerous post workout supplements such as dextrose powder which is highly synthetic and not natural.  Although no immediate health issues may arise from taking these powders, there have been ZERO studies showing that such supplements are safe when used long term.

For this reason, it’s highly recommended that all athletes consume 2-3 tablespoons of raw Manuka honey mixed in water after competing or finishing a training session. This will provide the body with 40-60 grams of simple carbohydrates for the body.  Research indicates that raw honey is an excellent option and extremely effective at restoring depleted glycogen levels in athletes (1).

Furthermore, unlike dextrose powder, raw Manuka honey provides a balance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are crucial for optimal recovery (2)

Manuka Honey helps Improve Gut Function

Many looking to improve athletic performance are unaware that the health of the gut microbiome plays an integral role and how well the body is able to perform.

In fact, those who have altered gut function due to an overgrowth of bad bacteria or yeast such as candida albicans, are more at risk for developing mineral and vitamin deficiencies. 

Also, various foods such as grains, nuts, seeds, and processed foods can cause gut permeability or” leaky gut.”  When this happens, the intestines allow undigested food particles to enter in the blood stream and this creates a whole host of problems.

Those looking to increase athletic performance should consider looking at ways in which the gut microbiome can be optimized and increase intestinal permeability.

Luckily, Manuka honey has been shown to be extremely effective at combating pathogenic candida overgrowth in the gut by effectively inhibiting the yeast from reproducing (3).  Consequently, this will lead to better functionality in the gut and an improved ability to utilize the nutrients coming food.   This inevitably leads to faster recovery and an improved overall athletic performance.

Furthermore, raw Manuka honey has been found to increase intestinal permeability as well as prevent gastric lesions. This prevents undigested food particles from entering the blood stream and improves gut health tremendously.

Contains Essential Amino Acids for Optimal Recovery

Many athletes already know that taking in enough amino acids is crucial for optimal recovery after training or competition.  However, many are getting these amino acids from low quality animal foods or synthetic amino acids supplements.

Raw Manuka honey contains 22 amino acids that are essential for muscle repair and serve as important building blocks in the body.  Those looking to increase athletic performance can benefit tremendously by incorporating a raw Manuka honey into their diet daily.

Stop using synthetic branched chain amino acid supplements which have been shown to be ineffective at enhancing athletic performance (4).  Instead, start incorporating Manuka honey in your diet throughout the day in order to give your body a constant supply of essential amino acids.

Provides Important Vitamins and Minerals

Having an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is crucial for athletic performance and competing at a high level.

A study conducted at Oregon State University found that athletes lacking in B-vitamins may perform worse during high-intensity exercise and show a decreased ability to repair and build muscle (5).

Luckily, Manuka honey is full of the essential B-vitamins and can help restore low levels in the body.  Also, as well as being a great source of the B-complex, it also contains essential minerals calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and potassium.

These vitamin and minerals can have profound effects on athletic performance and can help speed up the recovery process.

Conclusion

Raw New Zealand Manuka honey is an excellent option for athletes looking to enhance overall performance.  Its ability to correct gut disorders is extremely unique and unlike any synthetic supplement on the market. 

 However, athletes should use Manuka honey as a supplement and not rely on it entirely for their nutritional needs.  Foods coming from the diet should also provide the body with the essential nutrients that will aid recovery and boost athletic performance.

It’s recommend that athletes start with a low dose of the raw Manuka honey in the beginning and then slowly work their way up.  This will give the body adequate time to adjust to the new superfood which is being introduced into the diet.