The sports nutrition market is not exclusive to athletes anymore. Some of the major factors contributing to the advancement in sports nutrition are the growing popularity of fitness, self-care, and preventive medication among people.
The rising cases of diseases such as obesity and diabetes along with long working hours and a busy lifestyle are posing several challenges in healthy eating patterns. These issues can also lead to anxiety, weakness, depression, and other health-related problems which in turn, lead to consumers inclining towards nutritional products and sports supplements to fill the nutrition gap in their diet.
An overview of the sports nutrition industry today can broadly be categorized into two sections: nutrients and supplements.
Nutrients can be considered as fuel for the body. For our physical and mental health to remain strong and healthy, a balanced diet of nutrients is not only important while performing sporting activities, but also to navigate everyday life. The right amount of nutrients is an essential aid to support performance, importantly carbohydrates, fats, and protein which maintain the body's energy. These include:
- Carbohydrates are the main fuel source for an active adult or competitive athlete and adequate intake is essential to prevent muscle fatigue
- Fats help maintain energy balance, regulate hormones, and restore muscle tissue. However, it is essential to monitor its intake as large amounts could lead to excess weight gain and result in increased health concerns
- Proteins are responsible for muscle growth and recovery and are also used to make enzymes, hormones, and a variety of additional body chemicals as well as form the building blocks of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood
Supplements are mainly used by athletes and sportspersons to boost strength, performance, and recovery. They are available in numerous different forms ranging from multivitamins and minerals to protein, creatine, and various other ergogenic aids. Some of them include:
- Sports food such as sports drinks, bars, and gels, electrolyte supplements, protein supplements, and liquid meal supplements
- Medical supplements like iron, calcium, vitamin D, multi-vitamin/mineral, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Performance supplements such as creatine and caffeine