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88 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2020 FUEL FOR THE BODY FUEL FOR THE INDUSTRY A new study by Nicholas Burd, a professor at the University of Illinois, shows that potatoes can be as effective as sports gels for athletic performance and better than just consuming water. The study measured the performance of 12 endurance athletes during a two-hour cycling challenge followed by a time trial on three different days. Each cyclist performed the challenge consuming either a potato purée, a commercial sports gel, or only water until they utilized all three fueling options. Not only did the potato purée help sustain performance, it was also easily digested and absorbed when consumed. Since Burd's study was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology on Oct. 18, the internet has responded rapidly and positively. Ninety news outlets have published articles about the results, including Newsweek, MSN and Food & Wine. The conversation has exploded on Twitter, too. Nearly 600 people have shared the news on their profiles, and that number continues to rise by the day. Comments show that even long-time users of carbohydrate gels are ready to make the switch to a whole-food alternative. While there is much excitement, there are also some questions about the practicality of consuming potatoes mid-workout, indicating an opportunity to educate athletes about ways to prepare and consume potatoes before and during workouts and races. (For more on this study, turn to page 64 of this magazine.) This research is part of a larger story for athletes: that athletes have more options for viable fuel sources beyond processed sports gels that tend to be expensive and risk flavor fatigue. Burd's study is funded by the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE), and additional APRE research is in progress to understand the benefits of post- exercise meals including white potatoes; the impact of potatoes before and during exercise; and how muscles may be built post-exercise with potatoes. The APRE-funded research is building a foundation of knowledge and proof of the nutritional benefits of potatoes. More broadly than the direct consumption of potatoes by athletes, this knowledge will help active consumers understand that potatoes can and should be a part of their everyday diets to help them perform at their very best. It is hoped that the entire potato industry will join with Potatoes USA in promoting the results of these studies and the benefits of potatoes for physical and cognitive performance. Potatoes USA is working with APRE on specific messaging points from this study that will be provided to the industry once approved by the USDA. However, companies and growers can already begin to promote the research and benefits for potatoes for athletic performance by sharing the link to the study and forwarding the many positive articles and posts listed above on their social media. The only way that we are going to get all consumers to re-evaluate the potato and its nutritional benefits is through a far-reaching, broadly based, sustained campaign to ask people, "What Are You Eating?" Potatoes USA By John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer How the potato industry can leverage a study showing potatoes are effective athletic fuel. Erena Connon, Assistant Global Marketing Manager INTEGRATED DESIGN-BUILD GENERAL CONTRACTOR AGRICULTURE. FOOD PROCESSING. PROCESSING - PACKAGING - COLD STORAGE - RAW PRODUCT STORAGE - RTE FACILITIES www.hansen-rice.com 172501HanRic13h.indd 1 3/1/18 8:14 AM