Andean food consumption and perceived physical performance in university athletes

Guerrero Ardiles F.D.; Bohórquez-Medina S.L.; Bohórquez-Medina A.L. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/452guerrero

Resumen

Introduction: Andean foods—such as quinoa, kiwicha, maca, and tarwi—have been consumed for centuries due to their recognized nutritional properties, including high levels of protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Objective and Methodology: This study aimed to assess the frequency of consumption of nutritionally dense Andean foods and their association with self-perceived physical performance among university athletes in Lima, Peru. A structured questionnaire was administered to 108 athletes from various sports disciplines to evaluate their consumption patterns and perceptions of physical performance. Results: The findings suggest a positive correlation between the intake of these foods and perceived health, indicating their potential relevance in the context of sports nutrition. A gender-based difference was observed in quinoa consumption: 66.7% of male respondents reported consuming it, compared to 51.7% of female respondents. Conclusions: Encouraging the consumption of Andean foods may contribute to improved health-related perceptions in athletic contexts. Among participants, 94.23% of those who consumed these foods weekly and 100% of daily consumers reported perceived performance improvements. However, inferential analysis did not reveal a statistically significant association between consumption frequency and performance perception (p = 0.1065).

Instituciones: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola