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Scientists are constantly exploring the beneficial effects of various nutrients for both sports performance and health. Consequently, sports nutrition has developed rapidly over the past few decades and there are now thousands of companies selling sports nutrition products, ranging from vitamin pills to sport-specific ready meals.

On the face of it, ingesting dietary supplements or changing one's diet is a relatively simple way to enhance performance. Consequently, supplements are alluring to cyclists due to their performance benefits and equally attractive to sports nutrition companies as they are extremely profitable.

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Isotonic sports drinkCoconut waterCoconut water contains carbohydrate and electrolytes, making it a good drink to have after exercise to replace muscle glycogen, electrolytes lost in sweat and fluid
L-ArginineBeetroot juiceBeetroot juice reduces blood pressure and reduces the oxygen cost of moderate intensity exercise
Vitamin E antioxidant tabletsConcentrated cherry juiceConcentrated cherry juice can be an effective drink to consume during stage races as it can help reduce inflammation and reduce muscle soreness
Caffeine tabletsGreen teaGreen tea has many positive health-boosting properties. It can enhance fat oxidation, increase metabolic rate and help with weight loss.
Powdered recovery drinkMilkshakeDairy products such as milk are effective in promoting recovery after exercise, rehydration, and increasing muscle mass

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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.