Exercise-associated hyponatremia, or low blood sodium, is caused by drinking too much during exercise.

The factors that appear to be responsible for exercise-associated hyponatremia include drinking too much, but that alone is not the cause. Learn more...

Carbo-loading = the pasta feed the night before the big race.

While you can certainly load plenty of carbs onto your plate the night before an important endurance event, that’s not the best way to load glycogen into your muscles. Learn more...

In preparation for the Tour de France, American cyclist George Hincapie eats energy bars exclusively.

While George says PowerBars have gotten him through the spring classics season and some hard training, he is also a self-professed trail mix expert. Learn more...

A pre-exercise meal consisting of lower glycemic index foods, which are typically higher in fiber, gives you sustained energy during a subsequent workout.

Research has shown no consistent performance benefits from eating lower glycemic index (GI) foods like whole wheat bread in the pre-exercise meal. Learn more...

Caffeine causes dehydration during endurance sports and should be avoided.

The most recent scientific evidence shows that caffeine is actually not a significant dehydrating agent during exercise and does not cause fluid-electrolyte imbalances that would be detrimental to health or performance. Learn more...

Sex before competition slows you down.

In the few studies that have tackled this issue, no detrimental effect was noted on maximal workload or concentration due to sexual activity. Learn more...

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The information presented here is intended to impart general science-based sports nutrition and training information. Adapt this information to your situation and goals or consult a nutritionist or personal trainer for unique needs.