Managing Nausea and Appetite Loss During Long Endurance Efforts

Ginger has been used to cure nausea and sea sickness since ancient Chinese times. It is now the bedrock DNA of Active Root sports nutrition. We use natural root ginger in our products to prevent gastric discomfort before, during and after exercise.

Ginger is well-known for its ability to soothe the stomach. Ginger contains the compound Gingerol, which can help contribute to soothing the stomach by relaxing the muscles in the gut. It also can have a calming effect, reducing bloating and stomach discomfort. The ginger in Active Root has been specially used because of the high gingerol ratio!

Natural ingredients also make a huge difference in reducing digestive stress - the disruption of gastrointestinal function - caused by physical (or emotional) strain, which can manifest as stomach pain, bloating, nausea and indigestion. This is amplified during training and racing by stress placed on the body.

Studies have shown that up to 90% of athletes experience some form of gastric discomfort during exercise, whether it’s pre-race nerves before, feeling sick during the event or bloating afterwards (De Oliveira & Jeukendrup, 2014). The ginger in Active Root can help contribute towards a normally functioning settled stomach and prevent nausea.

How can Ginger help?

Blocks nausea signals: The compound Gingerol blocks the actions of neurotransmitters that trigger involuntary stomach contractions and stimulate the vomiting reflex. The use of Ginger can prevent this process from happening. This is particularly useful in sports nutrition when race day nerves can cause stomach upsets.

Reduce inflammation and improve digestion: Another famous benefit of ginger is its anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation can lead to prolonged recovery times and increased muscle soreness after intense workouts. The compounds in ginger have been shown to reduce inflammation and can help athletes recover faster, ensuring they are ready for their next session much sooner. They also help to keep your digestion feeling normal. 

Stimulates appetite: Ginger also stimulates appetite, making it easier for athletes to consume necessary nutrients and fluids during prolonged exercise sessions. This appetite boost becomes increasingly crucial during endurance events where maintaining fuel and hydration levels is critical.

How Active Root can help

At Active Root, all of our products contain ginger. Whether you’re looking to improve performance, enhance recovery, or simply maintain better overall health, Active Root can be a powerful addition to your nutrition arsenal. Our products contain the following amount of ginger:

• Sports Drink Mix contains 239mg Ginger per serving
• Electrolite Drink Mix contains 203mg Ginger per serving
• Energy Gel Mix contains 102mg Ginger per serving
• Energy Gels contain 50mg of Ginger per serving
• Energy Chews contains 1452mg Ginger per serving
• Recovery Drink Mix contains 199mg Ginger per serving

When to use Active Root

The golden rule when it comes to sports nutrition is 'try before race day', multiple times if you can. It is essential to practice your fuelling strategies during training, so you can arrive on the start line feeling confident.

Our products are designed to be used before, during and after exercise. You should aim to consume a small amount at regular, frequent intervals to maintain a steady energy supply. We offer a variety of flavours in each product to combat flavour fatigue.

Energy Gels (or Gel Mix), Energy Chews, and drink mixes are popular options for quick and convenient fuelling on the go. Our Sports Drink Mix and Electrolite Drink Mix contain carbohydrate and electrolyte sources, with single serve sachets that mix into a 500ml flask, easy at aid stations and ideal for consuming during an event.

We use unbleached cane sugar as our fuel source, with our products providing a balanced mix of glucose and fructose and offering a steady energy supply without the spikes and crashes. By incorporating natural sea salt, we ensure that our products provide essential electrolytes to maintain hydration levels and prevent muscle cramps.

And of course. all of our nutrition products are made with natural root ginger, a scientifically proven solution to combat bloating, nausea, and stomach discomfort during exercise. Including ginger into a fuelling strategy for athletes can shift their focus from digestive issues to optimal performance.