By Gunther Niklas Exercise is the stimulus that leads to training
adaptations. These adaptations can
only occur if you eat properly during recovery periods. When you exercise, you
actual damage your muscles. This is desirable, because this allows for adaptation
to occur where the muscles rebuild themselves and become stronger. However there is an undesirable side
effect to exercise caused by "free radicals". Free radicals are molecules that circulate in the
bloodstream after a workout and during the recovery period. They act like
scavengers and don't allow the body to fully recover. The antioxidants found in
fruits and colorful vegetables will absorb these free radicals and neutralize
their effect before they can cause further damage to the muscles. Thus it is
important to keep the body fueled with these colorful foods during recovery
periods between workouts. Colorful foods include fruits and vegetables such as:
Apples, Strawberries, Blueberries, Bananas, Oranges, Kiwi, Watermelon,
Raspberries, Grapes, Mango, Papaya, Apricots, Red peppers, Broccoli, Corn,
Squash, Carrots, Peas, Green beans, Tomatoes.
