19th May 2016 Many sports supplements make bold claims about boosting performance but only a few are backed up by credible research. In the third article of this 5-part series on supplements, I look at the evidence for caffeine. What is it? Caffeine is a stimulant that’s legal, relatively safe and found in many everyday foods…
18th April 2016 Many sports supplements make bold claims about boosting performance but only a few are backed up by credible research. In the second article of this 5-part series on supplements, I look at the evidence for beetroot juice. What is it? Beetroot juice (and beetroot) is a rich source of nitrate. It’s worth…
Many sports supplements make bold claims about boosting performance but only a few are backed up by credible research. In the first article of a new 5-part series on supplements, I look at the evidence for whey protein. What is it? When it comes to building muscle, whey protein is by far the most researched…
17th February 2016 One of the most frequent questions I get asked by runners after a talk is how to prevent or cope with gastro-intestinal (GI) problems and transit troubles during training and races. It’s not an issue many like to talk about openly but it’s one that’s surprisingly common among endurance athletes. It is…
7th February 2016 Eating well is vitally important at any age and never more so than in your 60s, 70s and beyond. What you eat now can make a big difference to how you feel, how much energy you have, your ability to ward off illnesses – and even to your appearance. In short, eating…
13th October 2015 One of the most common questions I get asked is about pre-workout nutrition and meal timing before a workout. How long before a workout should you eat to get the most benefit? Here’s my advice… The timing of your food before a workout can make a big difference to how you feel…
26th August 2015 I am sceptical about sports supplements – most have little solid evidence to back their claims – but I must admit to being more than a little intrigued by the new generation of food-based performance-enhancing supplements. I wrote in a recent post how antioxidant supplements (namely vitamins C and E) can…
Updated 20th April 2016 What you eat and drink the day before the marathon as well as on the day can have a big effect on your performance. You’ll be burning approximately 2,600 calories over the course so consuming the right foods, avoiding dehydration and getting the timing right are all-important when it comes to…
27th February 2015 Could you be a cheat (without knowing)? The recent doping scandal in swimming involving Olympic medallist Park Tae-Hwan should serve as a warning to all athletes. As should the case of Welsh rugby player Lee Evans. Both were tested positive after taking supplements. It seems the biggest problem facing top athletes at…
