Once upon a time, there was a tale about a liver that led a hard life. In high-intensity sports, ice hockey, spinning, crossFit, squash, tennis and elite football, etc., drinking only water or worse, not hydrating, can tire an organ as important as the liver. The risks are even greater when these types of sports are performed at noon or in the early evening and no snack has been eaten one hour to an hour and a half before physical activity.

Understanding glycogen

With low muscle glycogen stores - muscles store approximately 70% of the glucose provided by food - effort, when intense, will quickly become difficult due to lack of fuels.

One might then imagine that hepatic glycogen takes over - the liver stores approximately 30% of the glucose - but its role is elsewhere, it must maintain a constant blood sugar level throughout the blood to ensure the functioning of all organs, including the brain! Which is a large consumer of sugars, and especially during intense efforts, both physical and psychological.

As the transfer of liver glycogen to muscle fibers is very limited, other solutions will need to be found, among these, always drink during exertion at least a supply of maltodextrin and sodium or better yet, take an effort drink such as BN Now. And in addition, don't forget a snack like dried fruit with 60% dark chocolate.

Finally, I observe in my consultation with athletes who do not eat properly before and during exertion a decreased liver function. It often results in a lack of appetite in the morning and greater overall fatigue.

A reminder of the roles of the liver...

• First, the liver plays the role of a filter: it purifies, cleanses, and detoxifies blood from pollutants that have crossed the intestinal barrier.
• Furthermore, the liver is also a storage organ. It stores iron, which is often very low in athletes, stores certain vitamins (A, D, B12, etc.) etc
• Last but not least, it can be said that it is an organic factory, it participates in the production of fatty acids, cholesterol, bile acids, proteins and factors of blood coagulation, while regulating the level of hormones.

Thus, we understand that supporting the liver is fundamental, especially in athletes!

Some tips...

• In the morning, drink the juice of an organic lemon with a tbsp of organic liquid turmeric and add 2.5 dl of tempered water.
• During the day, consume one to two cups of pu erh tea.

Keep faith in a suitable diet, your liver will thank you and in cascade all your body!

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