Gemma Bes Shares Expert Keys to Nutrition and Sport

Nutritionist Gemma Bes is set to lead a practical workshop titled ‘Nutrición y deporte’ at the Espai Buit centre. The session aims to provide essential strategies for combining nutrition and physical activity in an efficient and balanced manner.

Bes brings an extensive professional background to the workshop, serving as the director of the nutrition department at the Rafa Nadal Academy of Monaco. Her experience includes advising elite sports teams such as RCD Mallorca and the Spanish National Dance Company, as well as years spent as the nutritionist for Rafa Nadal.

A Holistic Approach to Athletic Performance

The workshop is designed for a wide audience, ranging from amateur enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. The primary goal is to establish a fundamental understanding of how the body functions to ensure the “internal battery” does not deplete excessively.

Bes emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strict balance between physical exercise and recovery. She notes that while the body occasionally requires a certain degree of acute stress to adapt, managing this in daily life is key to long-term health.

Did You Know? Gemma Bes has applied her nutritional expertise to a diverse array of elite performers, ranging from professional tennis players to the artists of the Spanish National Dance Company.

Beyond the Plate: The 360-Degree Perspective

A central theme of Bes’s philosophy is “360-degree nutrition,” which argues that what we eat is only one part of the equation. She asserts that absorption is just as critical as ingestion.

Kuhan Gopal has improved his nutrition and his eating habits, thanks to Gemma Bes.

Factors such as high stress levels, poor nighttime rest, and improper chewing can significantly reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including proteins. Circadian rhythms and hormonal influences play a vital role in how nutrients are processed.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that shifting the focus from quantity to absorption highlights a critical gap in modern health trends. By emphasizing the environmental and biological context of eating, such as stress and sleep, the approach moves nutrition from a simple caloric calculation to a complex biological system.

The Mediterranean Base and the Risk of Sarcopenia

The Mediterranean diet serves as the foundation of Bes’s nutritional plans. In collaboration with the Govern, she recently released a guide on sarcopenia—the loss of muscle mass and strength.

While sarcopenia is often associated with individuals over 40, Bes observes that younger people are also suffering from this condition. She attributes some of these issues to energy deficits caused by the “demonization” of carbohydrates, leading to significant macronutrient deficiencies.

The Evolution of Nutritional Science

Reflecting on her 30-year career, Bes notes a dramatic shift in the field. Early in her career, nutrition was primarily focused on weight loss and the treatment of morbid obesity through strict calorie counting.

Over the last decade, however, nutrition has evolved into a fundamental pillar for elite athletes. The focus has shifted from boring caloric calculations to a more comprehensive understanding of performance and health.

Addressing Modern Extremes

Bes warns against the current polarization of eating habits, where society often swings between poor nutrition and obsessive attention to diet. She argues that extremes are generally harmful and that nutrition requires patience rather than immediate results.

Regarding modern snacks, she cautions against certain plant-based milks that may be high in sugar. Instead, she recommends a simple combination of fruit and a handful of nuts as a healthier alternative.

Future health outcomes may depend on an individual’s ability to set goals, readjust plans, and maintain an open dialogue with professionals to avoid these dietary extremes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of the ‘Nutrición y deporte’ workshop? The goal is to teach participants how to combine nutrition and sport efficiently so that the body’s “internal battery” does not empty too much, ensuring a balance between exercise and recovery. What is sarcopenia and who does it affect? Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength. Although often thought to appear after age 40, Gemma Bes notes that younger people can also suffer from it. Why is the “360-degree” approach to nutrition important? This proves important because it considers not just the quantity of food, but how the body absorbs it. Factors like stress, sleep, chewing, and circadian rhythms all influence nutrient absorption.

Do you prioritize the nutrients in your food or the environment in which you eat them?