Dr. Shawn Baker Podcast How Do We Really Fuel Athletic Performance? | Dr. Shawn Baker & Professor Tim Noakes
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Oct 24, 2025 In this engaging talk, Professor Tim Noakes, a sports scientist and founder of the Noakes Foundation, dives into the role of carbohydrates in athletic performance. He argues that muscle glycogen isn't the limiting factor—it’s actually blood glucose that matters most during prolonged exercise. Noakes emphasizes the benefits of low-carb, high-fat diets, critiques hydration myths, and discusses how athletes can adapt their metabolism effectively. He also highlights the risks of chronic high-carb diets and challenges conventional dietary wisdom in sports nutrition.
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Liver Glucose, Not Muscle Glycogen, Limits Performance
- Muscle glycogen is largely irrelevant for exercise performance; liver/blood glucose control is what limits performance.
- Replacing blood glucose during exercise prevents fatigue, not increasing muscle glycogen stores.
Muscle Glycogen As A Carbohydrate Buffer
- Muscle glycogen exists to buffer excess dietary carbohydrate, not primarily to fuel exercise.
- Chronic high muscle glycogen keeps insulin high and promotes fat storage and insulin resistance.
Carb Benefits Depend On Preventing Hypoglycemia
- Carbohydrate ingestion helps only when the control group becomes hypoglycemic in studies.
- If blood glucose stays stable without carbs, ingesting carbs shows little performance benefit.
