Supplements designed for athletes
There are many different supplements that can support your health and recovery. But if you’re looking to optimise your sports performance, there are also specific sports supplements available. Five of these have been studied most extensively: caffeine, creatine, sodium bicarbonate, beta-alanine and beetroot juice. In the sports world, these are often referred to as the “Big Five”.
1. Caffeine Gold
Caffeine can be used by virtually any athlete. It gives you a mental boost by increasing focus and alertness1. In addition, caffeine supports endurance and helps reduce the feeling of fatigue during exercise1.
2. Creatine Gold
Creatine is especially interesting for athletes who rely on explosive power. Think of gym-goers, sprinters, weightlifters, speed skaters, or team sport athletes such as footballers, basketball players or handballers. Creatine supports high-intensity performance and contributes to the development of muscle mass2.
3. Sodium Bicarbonate Gold
In recent years, sodium bicarbonate has gained popularity, particularly among cyclists. It’s a salt compound naturally present in the body, though in limited amounts. A supplement can be a convenient way to increase your intake.
4. Beta-Alanine Gold
Beta-alanine is an amino acid that serves as a building block for carnosine in the muscles. Your body produces it naturally, but it’s also found in foods like meat and fish. A supplement is a practical way for athletes to increase their intake of this amino acid.
5. Beetroot juice
Beetroot juice is naturally rich in nitrate. Nitrate is also present in vegetables such as spinach and rocket. Beetroot juice is widely used by athletes as part of their preparation for competitions or intense training sessions.
1Health claims pending European approval. Beneficial effects occur with a minimum intake of 75 mg caffeine.
2Beneficial effects are obtained with a daily intake of 3 g creatine in combination with high-intensity strength training.
