The Truth About Sports Products

waqasahmed939
waqasahmed939 Posts: 6
in Food and Nutrition
So I was watching this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01l1yxk/Panorama_The_Truth_About_Sports_Products/

Apologies for US viewers. Not sure what your laws say on proxies etc... so won't say much on that

They go on about how Coca Cola decided to invent "Powerade zero" Either it gives you energy, or it doesn't. Why buy flavoured water, with aspartame, acesulfame k etc... ? when it has nothing much else going for it, except for the fact that it's pretty much flavoured water?

The documentary touches on the trainer industry and how a lot of the science does not add up there either, or how certain companies link to studies that have absolutely nothing to do with their particular product

It sort of mirrors what I originally thought after doing some research on protein shakes as well ie: you should be able to get enough protein in your diet if you have a balanced diet

The NHS also supports this view:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/05May/Documents/BtH_supplements.pdf

Page 25 in the contents or page 28 when viewing on the screen
We would generally not recommendprotein shakes for athletes or people
doing exercise as the body’s protein needs
can be met through a healthy varied diet,”
British Nutrition Foundation, Sept 2010

I suppose body builders are a different story, depending if they decided to decide what is classed as an athlete, but the studies do show that most people simply do not need the protein shakes

They do however say this:
Claims that protein supplements improve muscle mass and strength for athletes and others are largely unsubstantiated.

Again, I suppose you could say "What do they class as an athlete" but I think it's pretty obvious they're talking about body builders here

They do conclude with this though:
Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t any
supplements that work, or that all are harmful.

But it does go to show that most products are simply a waste of money. Besides, most protein shakes are flavoured, so surely they need to add sugar and food colouring as well?

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