During the 1960s and 1970s, commercial products of carbohydrates and “carbohydrate
loading” were born. The Scandinavian research led to the creation of the first sports nutrition
product, Gatorade®, a mixture of glucose and sucrose in water at approximately 6% solution.
Athletes, particularly ones in endurance sports, struggled to meet with recommended levels of
carbohydrate intake at ?60% or total energy intake. As a result, new categories of products emerged
that have been marketed for dietary carbohydrate supplementation and pre-event nutrition.
Vitamins and Antioxidants:
Since the 1930s, athletes have been interested in vitamin supplementation after these
compounds were discovered and isolated. By 1939, Tour de France cyclists reported to perform
better after taking vitamins supplements. However, research completed in the early 1940s
demonstrated that vitamin supplementation doesn’t enhance athletic performance. Nevertheless,
athletes have pursued heavy vitamin use in subsequent decades until today.
Moreover, studies showed the importance of micronutrients to athletes, such as
antioxidants. This led to the creation of commercial products that enhance antioxidant intake and
prevent antioxidant damage due to endurance and high intensity exercise.
Written by: Ahmed Koptan