Best Supplements For Soccer Players to Buy in 2024
A common question that many soccer players have, from youth all the way to the professional level, is do supplements work and if so which ones? Supplements are exactly what they sound like, something you use to supplement into your daily routine, not make a primary focus.
In this blog I will explore the role of dietary supplements for soccer players, common misconceptions, as well as give you tips and recommendations for best supplements that are actually worth your money.
The Role of Supplements in Soccer Performance
Using dietary supplements can be beneficial for some players and only if they have other parts of their life fixed first. Dietary supplements are not a priority, but they can add value, especially the supplements on this list, which are supplements that are not as talked about as more mainstream supplements.
Once you have fixed these aspects, then you can begin to think about using some supplements to improve your performance on and off the field.
- Football Training
- Athletic Training
- Injury Prevention
- Foot Function
- Mitochondria Function
- Recovery
- Time Spent Grounded
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Breath work
- Mindset
- EMF Exposure
- Relationship with Nature
The Truth About Supplements
The supplements that will be discussed in this blog are not the typical dietary supplements that you may have heard of before that everyone recommends such as protein shakes, fish oil, creatine, beta-alanine, amino acids, vitamins, energy gels, and all of these mainstream supplements.
These supplements are crucial nutrients for our bodies, except the energy gels, and we do need them. However, it’s better to get these nutrients from a well balanced diet that includes nutrient dense whole foods. One way to get closer to being a high performance athlete is by getting all of your nutrients from real food and not using supplements.
This is because in nature these molecules are mixed with other vitamins, trace minerals, and coenzymes that must all work together which is why nature designed them combined, not in isolated forms like in pills.
If there is a legitimate reason why you can’t get a certain nutrient then supplementing with a high quality brand of a mainstream supplement is better than not getting that nutrient at all, but ideally and if possible you should be getting all of your nutrients from real foods.
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The Best Supplements for Footballers
Now that you are more familiar with the role of supplements, let’s discuss supplements that are not essential, but that can improve performance, provide energy, improve focus, and are both natural and safe.
Yerba Mate Tea
Yerba Mate Tea
$16.99
The best way to consume any form of caffeine is by drinking Yerba Mate Tea, a natural stimulant that can help to improve mental focus and reduce fatigue. Yerba mate also contains theobromine, and theophylline, which are known for their energy-boosting effects, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Yerba Mate is a great alternative to coffee or energy drinks because it can be much healthier, depending on what type of Yerba Mate Tea you consume. You may have seen many of your favorite professional players, like Messi above, drinking Yerba Mate in a special cup called “Mate” and with a special straw called a “Bombilla.”
This is because it is a very popular drink in South America, especially in places like Argentina and Uruguay, and nowadays it is also very popular in Europe because of the large number of South Americans in European leagues.
Grass-Fed Beef Organs
Grass-Fed Beef Organs
$36.10
Organ capsules are a great source of nutrients for footballers and this is nature’s real multivitamin. Organs are some of the most nutrient-dense foods and ancient civilizations and tribes treasured the organs of the animals they ate.
Even apex predators like Wolves are known to eat the organs of their prey first before eating the muscle meats because they can smell how nutrient dense they are. Ideally, you should be eating fresh organs, but in some places, it is hard to get them, or they may be too expensive.
This is where supplementing with an organ capsule can be helpful. By investing in a trusted organ capsule supplement, you will also be able to experience the many benefits of beef organs which include increased energy levels, improved physical performance, decreased muscle soreness, and improved recovery.
If you have been using a regular multivitamin, I suggest trying out organ capsules instead, especially if you are not able to get a hold of fresh organs. Organs, such as the heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, and more are the ultimate multivitamins from nature because the nutrients in these superfoods come in their most bioavailable forms, which means your body is able to absorb them easily for proper storage or usage.
As with all of your meat and beef products, ideally you want to make sure that organs are also 100% grass-fed and grass-finished for the best quality.
Functional Mushrooms
Mushroom Complex
$37.99
Mushroom complex sports supplements contain various types of mushrooms, such as Chaga, cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane, or a combined capsule with a bit of each. These mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which can help improve immune function and reduce inflammation, and they also contain polysaccharides, which can help to improve energy levels and brain function
As with most of the sports supplements on this list, it is best to get these mushrooms fresh if possible, but since that may be hard based on your location, supplementing with a mushroom complex can be a great way to incorporate mushrooms into your nutrition plan.
Redmond Re-lyte Electrolyte Powder Mix
Electrolytes are important for maintaining fluid balance, improving hydration levels, and for proper muscle and nerve function. The Electrolyte Powder Mix from Redmond is a natural choice and the best electrolyte powder on the market, as it contains real sea salt and trace minerals that can help to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
This powder mix is a great way to stay hydrated and energized during intense exercise, training sessions, or games, and it is a much healthier and better alternative to traditional sports drinks.
Beetroot Juice or Powder
Beetroot Juice or Powder
$34.95
Beetroot juice supplementation has become very popular among soccer players in recent years because it is packed with antioxidants and nitrates, which can help improve athletic performance and recovery.
In the body, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a vasodilator, which means it opens up blood vessels to help improve blood flow and circulation.
Grass-Fed Protein Powders
Grass-Fed Protein Powders
$37.99
Most soccer players know that to recover properly and to help rebuild muscle they need to be consuming enough protein daily. As a result, most players think that they have to invest in protein powders and protein shakes to make sure they reach that protein intake.
However, spending money on protein powders is not necessary because to get enough protein players should eat whole foods that are not only packed with protein but with many other essential nutrients, such as eggs, red meats, lean meats, seafood, and raw dairy. Players should focus on consuming protein, and all other nutrients, from real whole foods because the protein is more bioavailable and even if you are able to find a decent protein powder, there is still a lot processing needed.
If you absolutely feel like you need a protein powder supplement there are some tips that can help you make the best decision. Look for a protein powder that is made with grass-fed and grass-finished whey protein and with as few ingredients as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best supplements to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass for soccer players?
The best way to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass is improving every aspect of your life that affects these things. The first section of this blog explains exactly what things you should focus on first before thinking you need supplements to improve either of these things.
What are the best pre workout nutritional supplements for match day performance?
The best pre workout supplements from this list will include the yerba mate tea, the mushrooms, and the beet root powder. You can try them all and see what works best for you.
What is the best whey protein shake supplement for soccer players?
If you want to drink whey protein shakes as a soccer player consider getting grass-fed protein options as it is more high quality protein. Ideally, you should be getting your protein from real food.
Conclusion
In conclusion, supplements can be a great way to boost performance and recovery, but only if you are taking care of every other aspect of your life first. Supplements are not a priority, they are simply a supplement to everything you are already doing, but investing in the right ones can have tremendous benefits.
In this blog I explained the role of supplements in athletic performance and recovery, the truth about supplements, as well as listed some of the best supplements that are actually worth trying out.
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