National Honey Board Funds Clinical Studies Assessing the Impact of Honey
Supplements on Exercise Performance and Recovery

LONGMONT, Colo., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Honey Board, in
cooperation with IMAGINutrition(SM) and MetaResponse Sciences(SM), is funding
two clinical trials at the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory at the
University of Memphis to determine if honey really is more than just a sweet
treat.

"The trials are centering on the value of honey during exercise performance
and recovery in endurance and weight training individuals," said Rick
Kreider, Ph.D., lead investigator for the honey study.

Although often overlooked as a dietary supplement, honey is a naturally
occurring combination of various sugars and antioxidants in a gel form.
Recently, the consumption of carbohydrates in a gel form has become a popular
means for athletes to ingest carbohydrates prior to, during and/or following
exercise. In support of the study on honey, numerous clinical trials have
indicated that the ingestion of carbohydrates during exercise can enhance
exercise performance. The unique carbohydrate profile of honey may favorably
alter the way the body burns fuel during exercise. Recent evidence also
indicates concurrent carbohydrate and protein ingestion prior to and/or
following exercise may reduce exercise-induced muscle protein breakdown and
be beneficial for all athletes involved in intense training. A separate trial
to be conducted at the University of Memphis will study the effects of honey
on hormone metabolism and performance during exercise cycling.

"If honey fosters a more favorable hormone profile than typical
carbohydrates, this could lead to quicker recuperation after exercise,"
suggests Dr. Kreider.

The National Honey Board, a non-profit institution, is funding a variety of
studies exploring the health benefits of honey.

SOURCE  IMAGINutrition and MetaResponse Sciences

CO:  National Honey Board; IMAGINutrition and MetaResponse Sciences

ST:  Colorado

IN:  FOD MTC

SU:

06/29/99 20:56 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com