It’s one of the most common sights at the Australian Open — the world’s best tennis players, wiping sweat from their faces between games, and eating a banana.
The tournament provides about 200 kilograms of bananas to players every day.
And while the athletes also turn to scientifically designed sports drinks and energy gels, dietitians say you can’t beat the humble banana.
Bananas ‘tick a lot of boxes’
Bananas are packed full of essential nutrients for generating energy during a match, according to Lauren Stribley, in-house dietitian at Sports Dietitians Australia.
They contain carbohydrates for energy, fibre to help absorb nutrients, and minerals such as magnesium and potassium to help keep muscle cramps at bay.
“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,” Ms Stribley said.
“Bananas do tick a lot of boxes in terms of nutrition, which is why they’re a popular choice with athletes.”
Sports drinks and energy gels are scientifically designed to fuel minds and bodies during competition.
Ms Stribley, who advises the Port Adelaide AFLW team and South Australian cricket’s women’s program, said sports foods were also designed to be easily digestible and portable.
But bananas remain firm favourites in the nutrition race.
Bananas contain a range of nutrients ideal for powering professional athletes. (612 ABC Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe)
“As sports dietitians, we tend to go for the food first options,” Ms Stribley said.
“Bananas are low GI — low glycaemic index — which means they’ll provide you with a longer lasting energy.
“And particularly with international athletes who travel the world, you can get bananas anywhere.”
Bananas for the future
There are more than 1,000 types of bananas in the world, but just one — the Cavendish — dominates global markets.
About 50 billion tonnes of Cavendish bananas are grown worldwide each year, including almost all bananas eaten in Australia and supplied to the United States and Europe.
Researchers are investigating ways to protect bananas from disease. (Supplied: Queensland University of Technology)
More than 5,000 Cavendish bananas will be provided to Australian Open players this month, all sourced from Australia’s largest banana producing state, Queensland.
While a world without bananas might seem inconceivable, a soil-borne fungus known as Panama disease poses a serious threat to Cavendish plants.
But just outside of Darwin, banana growers have partnered with scientists to develop a Panama disease-resistant banana plant.
More than five million bananas are consumed every day in Australia. (ABC Rural: Lucy Cooper)
“It’s one of the five staples — you’ve got wheat, barley, rice, potatoes and bananas — so a lot of people rely on bananas as domestic food,” grower Mark Smith told the NT Country Hour.
Last year, the genetically modified variety was given regulatory approval for human consumption but they are unlikely to be in stores any time soon.
The genetically modified Cavendish is considered a “back-up ” in the event that it is game, set, match to Panama disease.
