The health benefits of cod liver oil are well known. Rich in omega 3, vitamin D and vitamin A, it boosts the general health of all who take it. Perhaps less recognised is how cod liver oil can be of special use to sports men and women. The same ingredients that keep your joints supple provide a range of other benefits which could help make you a match winner. 

Here are five ways cod liver oil could help those who play sport – at any level: 

1. Faster recovery

After competition or a hard training session, athletes need to get back up to full speed quickly so they’re ready for the next big game. Omega 3 has been shown to reduce inflammation and thereby assist the process of repair. “Every time you exercise your body is going through a mild inflammatory response,” explains Kesh Patel, Research and Development Manager for Premier Training International. “Having something like cod liver oil that reduces inflammation is very, very useful, especially for athletes who are training four or five hours a day.”

2. Increased endurance

Stamina isn’t just important for long-distance running; it’s essential for almost all sports. The omega 3 in cod liver oil could help you develop aerobic fitness by improving the flow of blood around the body. “The immediate benefit of improved blood flow is increased endurance,” Kesh says. “But with any sport that gets your heart rate up, if you’ve got better blood flow to your muscles, it’s going to help you perform.”

3. Muscle building

Muscle development is chiefly associated with explosive sports like sprinting and weight lifting, but a honed physique is an asset to any sportsman. Cod liver oil’s vitamin D content could help boost the growth of muscle groups. “Vitamin D can be useful because it’s linked to muscle function,” says Kesh. “Studies have discovered vitamin D receptors in muscle tissue can help increase protein synthesis, which basically means you could build more muscle.”

4. Strong bones

Bone health is essential to any athlete, particularly those involved in contact and high impact sports like rugby and football. The vitamin D found in cod liver oil could contribute to strong bones as it helps our body to use the calcium from our diets. “Sunlight supplies vitamin D through our skin, but in the winter months you may be deficient so cod liver oil can help with this,” Kesh says.

5. Good vision

Good eyesight is of paramount importance for anyone who plays a racket or ball sport. Cod liver oil offers a source of vitamin A, which has been linked to improved vision. “There are so many sports you need vision for, in fact anything involving hand-eye co-ordination or hand-foot coordination,” says Kesh. “Vitamin A will help keep your eyes healthy.” It can also be sourced from foods such as beef, whole milk, cheese, carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.