Accelerate your recovery What you do immediately after a workout is just as important as the workout itself. Consuming a high GI carbohydrate right after an intense workout has a compounding effect: spiking insulin and replenishing muscle glycogen. Insulin helps speed the delivery and absorption of nutrients, and because it reduces muscle breakdown, it improves net protein balance. Glycogen is the fuel reserve for your muscles. Consuming high GI carbohydrates after intense training quickly replenishes glycogen stores and repairs muscle tissue. The faster you can replenish glycogen, the more beneficial it is for your muscles and recovery. Vigorous exercise also increases systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Antioxidants should be consumed after training to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals and speed recovery.