Long-term mashed potatoes maintain blood glucose levels and increase athlete's performance, according to a new US study.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois, and published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
Previous research has shown that the special concentrated carbohydrate gels that athletes usually take during a long exercise boost the availability of carbohydrates during exercise and improve athletic performance, the researchers said.
The team conducted their study to discover a natural and tasty alternative to the gels that athletes eat by monitoring the effect of mashed potatoes on their performance.
Scientists followed up on 12 healthy participants who cycled regularly, traveling an average of 267 kilometers per week on their bikes.
Fitness
Cyclists had to reach a set threshold for fitness and complete the 120-minute cycling challenge.
The participants were divided into three groups, the first drank only water and the second ate carbohydrates, and the third ate an equivalent amount of carbohydrates obtained from mashed potatoes.
During the exercise, the team measured the participants' blood glucose, basal body temperature, and exercise intensity.
The researchers found that the group who ate the mashed potatoes performed similarly to the carbohydrate gels, and were faster to exercise than the group that drank only water.
They also found that blood glucose concentrations were at normal levels in those who consumed potatoes and gels, while heart rates increased in the group that drank only water.
A promising alternative
The research team leader d. "Our study has shown that potatoes are a promising alternative for athletes because they represent a cost-effective source and nutrient density.
"We found no differences in the performance of cyclists who received carbohydrates by eating potatoes or gels in recommended amounts of about 60 grams per hour during experiments."