In a season where touchdowns and three pointers are the focus of competitive sports, a new player has emerged on the scene, capturing the attention of millions – esports. As live events like the Super Bowl and March Madness sweep the nation, it’s high time we take a moment to explore the digital arena, where professional esports athletes battle it out with keyboards and mice instead of helmets and shoulder pads. Brace yourselves for a journey into the thrilling universe of esports, where eye health, mental fortitude, and laser-focused concentration are essential to victory.
Eye Health in the Digital Arena
In the quest for victory, professional gamers must contend with the risks of prolonged screen time. Just as basketball players endure the strains of physical exertion, esports athletes face challenges related to eye health. Staring at screens for extended periods of time can lead to digital eye strain, fatigue, and even potential long-term consequences. Even esports organizations have started recognizing the importance of eye health, with some providing players with specialized glasses designed to reduce eye strain during crucial gaming moments. Another way to ensure peak eye health and performance would be to incorporate an eye health supplement into your daily routine.
Lutein is a carotenoid, a type of pigment found in various fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens like kale and spinach (the dark green color of chlorophyll masks lutein’s yellow/orange pigment). Lutein acts as an antioxidant in the eyes, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells, including those in the eyes. Lutein is deposited in the retina, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining retinal health. It supports the
function of the photoreceptor cells in the eyes, contributing to clear and sharp vision. Lutein can help filter out a portion of light produced from digital screens that can be detrimental to eye health. OptiLut® lutein is different than most lutein supplements on the market in that it is directly extracted from marigold flowers by a physical process, without any chemical transformation, and remains in its native ester form. Lutein esters have been shown to be more bioavailable than free lutein/zeaxanthin when prepared from the same source.
Mental Fortitude and Gaming
The mental aspect of esports is as critical as the precision of a quarterback’s throw. Esports athletes need sharp decision-making skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to stay cool under pressure. The Super Bowl might be a test of physical strength, but the esports arena is a battleground of concentration.
L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea leaves that has been consumed for thousands of years for its wide variety of health benefits. From a mechanistic perspective, L-theanine has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Once the L-theanine is in the brain, it’s converted to GABA – this then acts on GABA receptors to improve cognitive health. Additionally, L-theanine acts to increase levels of the hormones dopamine and serotonin, which also support cognitive health. Suntheanine® is a unique form of L-theanine, made by an enzymatic process that mimics how L-theanine is formed in tea leaves. Suntheanine® has been the subject of 100s of clinical and scientific trials, many of which have shown that it acts as a powerful nootropic, allowing consumers to decrease stress and increase relaxation without increasing drowsiness.
Energy and Focused Concentration
While football and basketball players grapple with the noise of the crowd and the pressure of the big stage, esports competitors face a different challenge – maintaining laser-focused concentration in the midst of digital chaos. The rapid pace of esports demands split-second decisions and lightning-quick reflexes. Players must filter out distractions, akin to a quarterback reading a defense before a critical play. The ability to hone in on the game while tuning out the noise is a skill that separates the champions from the rest.
There are many dietary ingredients that can support increases in energy and reductions in fatigue. These include a tried-and-true offering: caffeine. As consumers reach for more natural options across all buying areas, caffeine is no exception. Rather than having to rely on synthetic caffeine (the majority of energy drinks and soft drinks sold today), formulators can use extracted caffeine options from tea (InnovaTea®) and coffee beans (InnovaBean® ) to provide consumers with the same energy benefit, but with the addition of being naturally derived and sustainably grown. Caffeine alone has been shown to improve energy levels and alertness, but recent research has shown that when combined with Suntheanine®, consumers can have the added benefit of improvements to both speed and accuracy while reducing susceptibility to distraction.
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As we celebrate touchdowns and slam dunks this season, NutriScience recognizes the unique challenges faced by esports athletes in the digital arena. Our commitment to holistic well-being is reflected in our range of cutting-edge ingredients. OptiLut® lutein, Suntheanine® L-theanine, and natural caffeine options like InnovaTea® and InnovaBean® provide crucial benefits to esports competitors so that they can navigate the rapid pace of the game with lightning-quick reflexes. As esports continues to redefine competition, NutriScience stands at the forefront, empowering athletes with the essential, innovative ingredients for victory.
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NutriScience Innovations develops and markets innovative ingredients for the dietary supplement and functional food markets. NutriScience’s ingredients are used in supplements offered by many well recognized and consumer trusted brands. NutriScience offers many ingredients for pet and human health and wellness. For more information on our company and our ingredients, contact us at [email protected].
