Is oatmeal good for cycling?

This question is about Nutrition and Cycling

Sarah Achleithner

Yes, oatmeal is an excellent choice for cyclists. Complex carbohydrates (such as oats) provide sustained fuel for working muscles during a ride and can help enhance physical performance [

1

]. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is then either used for energy upon consumption or stored for later in the liver or muscle tissue as glycogen [

2

]. Consuming sufficient carbohydrate helps avoid bonking during longer rides and is particularly important during high-intensity rides.

Bowl of oatmeal topped with banana, cinnamon and coconut

[1] Sang, S., & Chu, Y. (2017). Whole grain oats, more than just a fiber: Role of unique phytochemicals. Molecular nutrition & food research, 61(7), 10.1002/mnfr.201600715.

https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201600715

[2] Holesh, J. E., Aslam, S., & Martin, A. (2020). Physiology, Carbohydrates. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083823/

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