Beetroot, the superfood that boosts your muscles

IF you are looking for a new post-gym snack, beetroot may be the answer.

Among all the superfood’s claimed benefits for body and brai, it has now been found to help muscles recover after intense exercise.

Scientists at the University of Northumbria asked 30 men aged between 18 and 28, who work out at least twice a week, to do 100 intensive jump exercises.

The intense exercise caused muscle damage in their legs. Over the next three days, the men drank either 250ml beetroot juice, 125ml beetroot juice or a placebo. The placebo had the same calorie and carbohydrate content as the juice.

Dr Tom Clifford, who led the study, said: ‘Three days of consuming the higher beetroot juice dose enhanced participants’ recovery. Those in the beetroot juice group jumped an average of 18 per cent higher than those in the placebo group two days after completing the exercise bout.’

He added that both beetroot groups saw reduced soreness and the food could be useful for those with little time between exercise sessions.