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from AusBiz - August-September 2022

giving back

BEETROOT IS THE NEW EXERCISE SUPERFOOD

New research conducted by UniSA has found that eating more beetroot can boost sporting performance in athletes.

According to the study, beetroots, grapes, sour cherries and pine bark extract help to increase blood flow and deliver important nutrients to muscles during exercise, allowing athletes to perform better more quickly. The nitrate levels in beetroot contribute to nitric oxide availability in the body, while polyphenols in grapes, cherries and pine bark help protect nitrate from degradation, increasing stamina.

Researchers assessed data from 118 studies involving 1872 participants, finding that beetroots have significant health benefits for high intensity sport, further proving that food can act as a natural endurance enhancer.

According to co-researcher Professor Jon Buckley, this could have positive repercussions in boosting exercise performance. However, the results aren’t perfect. “The results did show more significant effects among athletes who were less fit, and also that men were more likely to benefit from these foods than women,” says Jon. “This finding does suggest further investigation is warranted. “All in all, we know that trying to get fit takes time and effort, but add a glass of beetroot juice to your training schedule and you might just see the difference.”

SOLAR PANELS FOR THE FUTURE

Melbourne is set to be the location for Australia’s first solar panel powered office tower in 2023. The building will harvest on-site electricity using over 1,000 panels on the facade, and is expected to save 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. If it’s successful, this $40 million eight-storey tower will be able to produce more energy than it uses.

The project has been designed by architect Pete Kennon, and is set to launch in 2023 despite significant delays due to COVID-19. According to Pete, this solar facade system has never been attempted before in Australia, and is the start of a new movement towards sustainable energy practices.

“We have designed a building where its function, purpose and technological benefit is in the future. A building designed for a better future for all of us,” says Pete.

With the initial stages of this project commencing all the way back in 2019, Pete and his team have had plenty of time to plan. They even flew in executives from a German-based solar model manufacturer to ensure the best quality materials. The hope is that this solar paneled building will bring about a larger change.

“Workers choose to work for companies with a social consciousness and an environmental responsibility that aligns with theirs,” Pete says.

The project represents the start of more environmental care in the Australian business sector.