Sports foods from where to where?

Abstract

Sports foods are designed for athletes to improve performance, endurance, recovery and overall health. They are available in various forms such as protein powders, bars, energy gels, isotonic drinks, concentrates, vitamins, and minerals, with their composition and impact varying depending on the sport, personal needs and goals of the individual athlete, and time of consumption. These products are not officially recognised despite their potential benefits. The definition of sports food is not specified in EU legislation. While this does not preclude such products from proliferating, agreeing on how to define this would be helpful. The beneficial impact of sport, particularly elite sport, on the health of generations is indisputable. When it comes to recreational sports, the competitive spirit exists just as much. However, is it possible to achieve outstanding sports performance by only following general nutritional recommendations and using common foods? The author argues that this is not possible, and the purpose of this summary is to emphasise this point. This article briefly describes the common ingredients of sports foods and the general steps in their production. It also outlines some of the major future scenarios that could shape the challenges and opportunities for this industry in the coming decades.