Bodybuilders and other athletes often eat certain foods, not because they taste good, but because the nutritional value they have. Here is a list of 5 healthy foods that have anabolic benefits to the body.
These healthy foods will help you improve your sport performance, burn fat and build muscle.
Blueberries
The blueberry is one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits. Blueberries have the highest anthocyanin content of all fruits. This antioxidant helps in blood vessels structure protection. This is very important as healthy blood vessels transport oxygen, nutrients and hormones to the cells more efficiently. Blueberries are also known to enhance memory, and rejuvenate brain cells.
Yogurt
The lactose in yogurt is transformed into lactic acid by adding bacterial cultures. That’s why yogurt is sour and has thicker texture than milk. The microflora in the gastrointestinal tract is reduced by training, diet and the consumption of some types of foods. Yogurt reestablishes the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps improve protein and other nutrients absorption. It also contains calcium (which helps fat loss) and milk protein.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a great source of the amino acid citrulline. Citruline on the other hand gets converted to arginine to produce Nitric Oxide (NO), which opens blood vessels and increases blood flow into muscle cells, delivering more nutrients to them.
Broccoli
Broccoli is known to reduce the effect of estrogens in the body. This diminishes estrogen’s effects when it comes to fat gain and water retention, and probably strengthens testosterone’s anabolic effects.
Coffee
Coffee has a thermogenic effect on bodyfat and it helps burn fat. Caffeine is also a great addition when it comes to boosting the effectiveness of other thermogenic ingredients. According to one study coffee reduces muscle soreness more than aspirin. Moderate coffee drinking reduces risk of type II diabetes.
Parsley
Parsley is rich in flavone apigenin that has the effect of lowering estrogen levels. It is also known that parsley prevents fat and water retention, helps digestion and neutralizes your breath from garlic and onion consumption.
Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are rich in arginine and glutamine, two amino acids that help muscle volumizing. Sunflower seeds are also a great source of healthy mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. A half cup a day will supply 10g of protein, 12-15g of carbs and 7-8g of fiber.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is known to help reduce body fat and control insulin levels. According to a study, individuals lost 4 or more pounds just by adding half a grapefruit 3 times a day and without changing their dietary regime.
Garlic
The garlic is a cousin of the onion and is rich in allicin, diallyl disulphide, diallyl trisulfide that have a long list of health benefits. Maybe the most important one for bodybuilders is its ability to increase testosterone and reduce cortisol production. Garlic is also known for its ability to fight cold and lower blood pressure.
Herring
Herring is an oily fish that lives in the shallow, temperate waters of the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. It contains high amounts of high-quality protein and creatine for building and volumizing the muscles.
