Looking For A Basketball Energy Boost?
Basketball is certainly not a game for the faint of heart and players often seek a basketball energy boost to increase performance. Requiring speed, agility, and most importantly endurance, the physical toll it takes on a player’s body can be exhausting no matter what level of shape they are in.
A little pick-me-up can be just what’s needed during those long stretches of intense game play during the season or even for those tough pre-season workouts when players are pushed to the max physically and mentally to learn new plays, positions and fine tune their skills.
While the obvious healthy diet and lifestyle are first on the to-do list for all basketball players, recruiting an array of adaptogenic herbs and nutrient packed superfoods to promote energy, endurance and recovery may be able to give the competitive edge needed to pull through those physically taxing and mentally stressful points during the basketball season.
Superfoods are simply foods that are known for containing above average nutrition content that provide the body with a powerful concentration of health benefits.
Adaptogenic herbs, also known as endurance herbs, are plants that have been shown to help the body adapt to physical, mental and emotional stress. Exercise and competition in general are stressors to the human body and there are several unique herbs from around the world that can provide the body with special active compounds to withstand even the most intense basketball workouts, practices and games.
The following adaptogenic herbs and superfoods have been highly touted for their ability to provide the body with energy, stamina, endurance and contribute to overall recovery.
My top five superfood and herb picks for basketball players include:
Chia Seeds For Basketball Energy and Endurance
The tiny, yet mighty chia seed originates from the desert plant salvia hispanica and packs an incredibly nutritious punch. It was first discovered between 1500 and 900 BC in Mexico and South America and was one of the ancient Aztec and Mayans most prized foods for its ability to provide energy and endurance as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. Considering their light, easy to carry nature – Aztec warriors depended on the chia seeds for survival as they were quick energy, loaded with endurance giving nutrition and easy to chew on-the-go while they marched. The power of the nutritious chia seed is still widely popular today and is most often used in smoothies, salads, baking, oatmeal, cereals, yogurt, puddings and more! There truly is no limit to what you can do with this tiny, mildly nutty flavored seed that has earned the term ‘superfood’ because of it being a complete food that contains protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and fiber. In fact, 2 Tablespoons of chia seed contains only 138 calories, 9 grams of fat, 10 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein and 18% daily value of calcium – simply incredible! Basketball players can greatly benefit by adding a few tablespoons of chia seeds into their daily nutrition plan. Not only are chia seeds capable of increasing energy and endurance levels in athletes, but it also provides 1/3 of the daily recommended amount of fiber to help maintain healthy digestion as well, which we all know is incredibly important for overall health and well-being.
Moomiyo (Shilajit) For Basketball Energy and Performance
Moomiyo is a very unique and rare herb originating from the mountainous regions of Central Asia where it is harvested twice each year by only those willing to climb the mountains in order to collect this powerful adaptogenic herb. First identified by ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle for its powerful rejuvenating effects on the human body, Moomiyo has since been adorned by not only emperors and royalty of ancient cultures but by Olympic athletes and non-athletes today alike for its ability to boost the immune system, protect the body against stress and anxiety, reduce inflammation, promote longevity, balance hormones, raise vitality, increase muscle strength and mass as well as improve recovery time after physical exertion.
Moomiyo can prove very effective for basketball players for all of the above listed reasons and I highly recommend giving it a shot to increase the body’s ability to withstand the general ‘wear and tear’ of playing basketball.
You can find Moomiyo extract at most local supplement stores, however considering that this herb is so rare and there are many products out there that would not be considered high quality, it’s best to recruit your online sources for picking a Moomiyo supplement that’s right for you. Moomiyo is most effective for basketball players if taken about 15 minutes before playing with a glass of water.
Avocados – A Basketball Training Table Staple
Avocados are certainly no secret to the modern world, with guacamole being one of the most favorite traditional Mexican appetizers, it’s safe to assume that most people have had a taste of this creamy and nutrient powerhouse of a superfood.
Originating in Mexico and Central America, avocados provide a rich history for that area dating back more than 10,000 years. Traditionally used as butter, avocados are today often used in guacamole, omelets, sandwiches and to replace meats for many vegetarian diets considering their high healthy fat content.
Avocados provide a very impressive nutrition profile with the most notable being their high levels of monounsaturated (healthy) fats that can be a quick source of energy for basketball players. This healthy fat promotes a healthy heart by shifting cholesterol levels for the better when eaten often. Aside from the fat content, avocados also give the body much needed calcium, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, B-Vitamins and the powerful antioxidant glutathione. Avocados are the richest fruit source of glutathione which is an important antioxidant that aides the body in cellular regeneration – another great reason to add this delicious fruit to your basketball nutrition plan!
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea, also known as “Golden Arctic Root”, is indigenous to colder regions of the world including the Rocky Mountains, Eastern Siberia and the mountains of Central Asia. A bright yellow and red flowering plant that can be seen from a long distance away, this potent adaptogenic (root) has been known to provide many health benefits for the human body including increased resistance to stress, promotion of longevity, enhanced fertility, promotion of neurotransmitter levels in the body including serotonin and dopamine for improved moods and sleep patterns.
Rosavins and rosins are the active compounds that give the Arctic Root its unique health benefits, and for basketball players this means increased oxygenation to the brain and muscles providing a profound energy boost. It’s been found that where more oxygen travels, so do nutrients and blood, meaning an improved uptake of vitamins and minerals from healthy foods and other nutritional supplements as well.
Rhodiola Rosea is easily found at local health foods and supplements stores and can be taken as a capsule or liquid tincture. Capsules are typically easier to administer and for basketball players it’s best to take Rhodiola each day with breakfast and lunch.
Coconut For A Basketball Boost
Coconuts are a globally popular exotic fruit that have been found in tropical areas all over the world. It has earned the nicknamed “tree of life” because the entire tree can be harvested and used to make food as well as other non-edible goods. The actual coconut fruit itself has several different parts that are used to make naturally nutritious goods including water, milk and oil.
Coconut water is extracted from the interior cavity of the coconut and is fat-free, low in natural sugar and sodium and high in antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It is a naturally high source of potassium making it an ideal choice to hydrate with during a basketball practice, workout or game. It’s so much more effective at boosting the body’s hydration levels that any good nutritionist will recommend drinking coconut water over conventional electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. Coconut water is also a great source of energy and metabolism boosting B-complex vitamins which is another reason why basketball players ought to not overlook this tropical treasure when feeling a bit tired. You can reap the benefits of coconut water by drinking it straight or making it the base of your most favorite smoothie or fresh fruit and veggie drink.
Coconut milk is another great way to add this versatile superfood into your daily basketball nutrition. Coconut milk is made using meat or flesh of the coconut and is much higher in healthy fat than coconut water. You can buy unsweetened coconut milk at your local grocery store to use in cereals, oatmeal, smoothies and baking – it is a much healthier alternative to artificial hormone-laden dairy and is also a great source of calcium and magnesium as well as other vitamins and minerals.
Coconut oil is a derivative of coconut milk and is the perfect healthy fat addition to add to your basketball diet because of its short and medium chain fatty acid content. These fatty acids are much shorter than other fats making them easier to digest and assimilate in the body by the liver. By adding a few tablespoons daily into your smoothies, oatmeal or baking you are providing your body with instant energy that can also help with metabolic and muscular endurance. The lauric acid present in coconut oil has been known to promote a strong immune system as well as helping to keep the heart healthy.
Key Basketball Energy Takeaways
Superfoods and herbs are a great way to boost your natural energy and endurance levels as a basketball player. They are easy to attain and add into your daily regimen and will greatly benefit your overall health and stamina as you go through this upcoming basketball season. We all need an extra boost from time to time, and hard-working basketball players tend to need it most during those long stretches of intense conference games, after late nights studying and to help you make gains in the weight room. By adding these 5 foods to your nutritional tool belt, you’ll be able to go faster and for a longer period of time thanks to all the added nutrients, vitamins and minerals your athletic body craves! Consult your doctor today to find out how you can safely boost your basketball energy with some of these superfoods and herbs.
