Benefits of eating before a workout?

Consuming food before a workout has several benefits, as discussed by Andrew Huberman and Stacy Sims. Eating a balanced mix of protein and carbohydrates prior to exercise can:

1. Improve Performance: Ingesting carbohydrates and protein helps maintain blood sugar levels, which can enhance performance during both strength training and cardiovascular workouts 1.

2. Enhance Recovery: Consuming protein before a workout increases post-exercise oxygen consumption, which keeps the resting metabolism elevated and aids in better recovery post-exercise 1.

3. Regulate Hormones: Eating before a workout prevents the body from entering a catabolic state, which can otherwise perturb hormonal signals from the brain to the body, negatively impacting performance and recovery 2.

4. Boost Brain Function: Pre-workout nutrition affects brain activity, aiding in energy generation, reducing the stress response, and optimizing neural control of exercises 1.

These benefits highlight the importance of tailoring nutrition to fit the workout's demands, maximizing both physical and mental performance.