Bean boost for athletes: simple diet change may enhance hydration and performance

This study tested whether increasing legume (like beans and lentils) consumption within a healthy Mediterranean diet could improve cellular hydration, body water balance, and swimming performance in competitive athletes. Thirty-nine young swimmers were followed for five months, with some groups increasing their weekly legume servings while keeping their training the same. The goal was to see if this simple, sustainable dietary change could support athletes' health and performance without altering their standard routines.