Lacking in early diets, champion women need improved nutrition, Pg24

Key Highlights:

• Indian women cricketers, including Harleen Deol and Shafali Verma, faced nutritional challenges early in their careers.
• Many young female cricketers had poor nutrition knowledge, often opting for unhealthy snacks post-training, as revealed by a 2016 survey in Mumbai.
• Dietary changes often came late, hindering the players' strength and fitness development.
• Awareness of nutrition is improving, spurred by events like the Women's Premier League (WPL), which mandates dietary improvements.
• Micronutrient deficiencies, such as magnesium, Vitamin D, and B12, are common and impact bone health.

Detailed Insights:

• Early diets of women cricketers often lacked essential nutrients, impacting their physical development and performance.
• Economic conditions in India pose a challenge, as many families cannot afford the nutrient-dense foods or supplements needed for athletes.
• Poor bone health due to micronutrient deficiencies leads to injuries, affecting the sustainability of long careers in sports.
• Lack of awareness about menstrual health and its connection to nutrition can result in repetitive stress fractures and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S).
• Inadequate carbohydrate intake can lower glucose levels, impairing decision-making during high-pressure situations.
• Standardized diets are ineffective due to individual variations in nutrient absorption, influenced by gut health and hormonal balances.
• The WPL has increased awareness of proper fueling and nutrition, leading to reduced injury rates and improved performance.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Micronutrients: Essential vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts for various bodily functions.
• Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): A syndrome of impaired physiological function caused by relative energy deficiency (too little energy intake for the energy expended).
• Gut Health: The balance and function of microorganisms in the digestive tract, influencing nutrient absorption.