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Bananas supply energy to Australian Open players as Cavendish faces disease threat

At the Australian Open, one of the most familiar sights is top-tier tennis players consuming bananas during breaks in play. The event distributes approximately 200 kilograms of bananas daily to participants. Despite the availability of scientifically formulated sports beverages and energy gels, dietitians highlight the unmatched nutritional benefits of bananas.

Lauren Stribley, a dietitian with Sports Dietitians Australia, emphasizes the comprehensive nutritional profile of bananas, which includes carbohydrates, fiber, and essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. These components are crucial for energy production and muscle cramp prevention during matches. "Fuelling is really important during competition, not just to fuel your muscles but also to power your brain in terms of concentration and decision making," Stribley explains, underscoring the fruit's popularity among athletes for its multifaceted nutritional benefits.

While sports drinks and energy gels are tailored for optimal digestibility and portability, bananas are often preferred for their low glycaemic index, offering sustained energy release. This makes them particularly appealing to international athletes due to their global availability. Stribley, who also consults for the Port Adelaide AFLW team and South Australian cricket's women's program, advocates for prioritizing natural food sources like bananas in sports nutrition.

The global banana market is predominantly supplied by the Cavendish variety, with Queensland being a major producer for the Australian and international markets. The Australian Open alone sources over 5,000 Cavendish bananas from Queensland. However, the Cavendish variety faces threats from Panama disease, a soil-borne fungus. In response, growers near Darwin have collaborated with scientists to develop a genetically modified Cavendish banana that is resistant to Panama disease, although it has yet to hit the market. This development is seen as a contingency plan to safeguard against the potential loss of a crucial global food staple.

Source: ABC News

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