With the start of Ramadan, the issue of reconciling fasting with professional sports becomes relevant for many athletes.
But to what extent does this affect the health and results of athletes in individual sports?
Nazir Talibov, a two-time European Cup winner in judo and winner of the last national championship, shared his experience with Idman.Biz.
Our judoka said that he has been fasting since the first day of Ramadan:
"Thanks to the advice of a professional dietitian, I don't feel any discomfort even during the most difficult workouts. The main problem is severe thirst after training, because the body loses a lot of fluid. But I have found an effective method for recovery. When breaking the fast, I immediately eat dates and drink 300 ml of water, and before the main meal I definitely take a spoonful of honey. Soup is definitely included in my diet. I have completely abandoned carbonated drinks, especially those with sweeteners, because they only increase thirst. We are selected foods with a high protein content. A properly prepared menu helps to spend fasting comfortably and maintain working capacity, no matter how hard and tiring the workouts are."