Superfoods are used by a variety of people to boost their energy levels and recover from an intense workout session.
So whether you're training for a marathon, recovering from a muscle injury or just need a boost of energy to keep up with your daily routine, we've done the hard work for you and found the best superfoods for stamina and explained how to use them.
Dates
Rich in various nutrients, fibre, and antioxidants, dates are popular throughout the world and are often consumed as dried fruit. Dates come from the date palm tree and are jam-packed with health benefits. High in natural sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose, it is the perfect snack for an immediate burst of energy.
Dates are commonly used for date jam, chutney, date trail mix, flavourings and roasted whole date seeds. Also, the tree's terminal buds can be a great addition to a salad.
Maca
Maca is a plant grown in central Peru refined as a vegetable crop in this area for at least 3000 years. Its root is used to make medicine for Anaemia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome among other health issues. It can also be used to improve stamina for various heavy work or sporting activities.
Organic Maca Powder is favoured among athletes to enhance stamina and energy. A small study in eight male cyclists found that they improved the time it took them to complete a nearly 25-mile (40-km) bike ride after only 14 days of supplementing with Maca extract.
Adding some Maca powder into your favourite drink, or blending into a smoothie, is a quick and simple way to use this superfood to boost your energy.
Sunflower Seeds
The sunflower has been revered since early civilisation. North American Indians used the leaves as animal food and the petals to brew a distinctive yellow dye for their clothes and skin. The seeds were also ground into food and crushed into oil.
Sunflower seeds are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, protein and vitamin E. A great source of zinc, sunflower seeds are popular immune boosters, helping to protect against heart disease, while their vitamin B can help battle stress with a healthy nervous system.
Adding to a salad or sprinkling your cereal is a brilliant way to use this superfood to boost your stamina.
Pumpkin Seeds
The pumpkin, native to Asia, is a member of the gourd family. Nicknamed the Emperor of the Sun, in China, the pumpkin has become symbolic. Pumpkin seeds are not only a gateway to protein and healthy fats, they're also packed with fibre, zinc, potassium and magnesium.
Magnesium plays a huge role in the body because nearly every cell requires it to function properly. The body cannot produce magnesium by itself so it's up to us to consume magnesium in foods daily. When evaluating foods that are magnesium-rich, pumpkin seeds are at the top of the chart.
Zinc is essential in maintaining a healthy immune system and fighting off infections. The point is, the less time you spend sniffling on the couch the more time you can spend training at a high level or simply enjoying your life.
Pumpkin can be used in just about anything; our favourite methods are in a salad, a bowl of soup and a pesto dish – delicious!
Final Thoughts
Healthy eating is obviously key to having more energy. And a balanced diet coupled with plenty of exercise is the easiest way to improve your stamina. Having said that, certain foods will be able to give you an edge when it comes to endurance, such as Ashwagandha and Turmeric, in addition to the ones mentioned in this article.
Just like with a car, what fuel we give our bodies, effectively decides how well it runs. Take note of these important superfoods that can be used to boost your stamina levels and make sure you’re always sourcing your ingredients from reliable sources who can give you quality products.
