Your Body Tells You What It Needs

Have you ever felt your body telling you to consume more protein? Or perhaps more carbohydrates or fats?

 It’s as if there's an internal signal in your nose telling you whether a food is good for you. Now, there's science to support this phenomenon. Scientists conducted five studies on the eating behavior of rats. The rats were put on a low-protein diet for 5 to 7 days, meaning they didn't get the essential amino acids in their diet.

We all know that a diet must include essential amino acids; for humans, these include phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, and leucine. Scientists found that in the experiment, the time it took for the rats to start their first meal was significantly reduced, and eventually, they refused to eat the nutrient-deficient diet.

Now, imagine that they can't read food labels like humans can, but they still know that the food lacks essential amino acids because their bodies tell them so. The question now is: Is there a similar physiological mechanism responsible for other food cravings or needs?

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds that provide color to fruits, vegetables, and plants. The term "anthocyanin" comes from two Greek words meaning "plant" and "blue." Anthocyanins are the pigments that make blueberries blue and raspberries red, and there is overwhelming evidence showing their high antioxidant activity. Today, there are over 300 known anthocyanins, and scientists are discovering new ones daily. So, what's the big deal about these pigments? I'm glad you asked.

In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, scientists observed the effects of blackcurrant anthocyanins (BCA) on blood circulation. They found that blood flow in the forearm significantly increased after BCA intake. The scientists concluded that these anthocyanins could increase blood flow and reduce muscle fatigue, suggesting that BCA intake could improve shoulder stiffness caused by typing.

Clearly, your body can benefit from increased blood flow, especially if your blood system contains the right nutrients. What if you used blackcurrant anthocyanins to supplement essential amino acids (EAAs) before exercising? Would consuming BCA before exercise further promote blood flow?

Could it make your muscle cells more receptive to absorbing EAAs, thereby speeding up protein metabolism and synthesis? Who knows. Perhaps BCA could be more effective in promoting blood circulation than all the so-called nitric oxide products on the market. Even more exciting is that other anthocyanins might actually help you lose fat! Some say, "Anthocyanins are functional food factors..." which might be beneficial in preventing obesity and diabetes. I think these pigments could be the next big thing in sports nutrition.