Striker Erling Haaland uses red light therapy beds, a £50,000 cryogenic chamber, eats beef liver and heart and tapes his mouth while sleeping to improve his performance.
$262 million striker Erling Haaland marked a career milestone last weekend, taking Manchester City’s tally to 94 goals in 101 games, helping the Premier League champions to victory over Ipswich Town.
The 24-year-old, 1.9m tall man dubbed “The Destroyer” has been following somewhat strange health habits for years. Many sports experts believe that this is the key to his performance advantage over his opponents.
Red light therapy bed
In August, Haaland shared a photo of herself lying in a red light bed. The therapy uses infrared rays to penetrate deep into tissues and joints. Proponents say the light (LED) can repair damaged tissue, calm the body’s response to injury, and reduce inflammation.
Previously, experts recommended that players lie on the therapy bed for 5 minutes before each training session to prevent injuries, and 20 minutes afterwards to help with muscle recovery. Unlike UV rays that can cause skin cancer and premature aging, LED light is in the visible spectrum. The therapy uses red light wavelengths between 630 and 700 nanometers, which penetrate the skin, where cells can absorb it and stimulate energy production. It is also used to treat hair loss and reduce body fat.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that LED phototherapy can help fight aging. American experts found that the light wavelengths help strengthen fibroblasts, cells found in connective tissue that help produce collagen, giving the skin structure, strength, and elasticity.
A 2015 review investigating the effects of red light therapy on exercise also found results that improved exercise performance and aided muscle recovery.
However, experts have warned that using too much blue light therapy can cause unwanted effects such as redness lasting more than a day, skin blistering, burns, reduced collagen and increased wrinkles.
Diet rich in beef heart and liver
The Premier League’s most promising striker needs a lot of energy for matches. Haaland once shared about his diet of beef liver, beef heart and consuming 6,000 calories a day, 2.5 times the average calorie intake of a man.
In the documentary Haaland: The Big Decision airing in 2022, the player said: “I think eating quality food and locally sourced food is the most important thing.”
Eating organ meats is not common in Western countries in recent times, but it was once a staple of the hunter-gatherer diet. Beef heart is much leaner than most other parts of the cow. According to nutritionist Rob Hobson, organ meats are healthy when prepared properly. Both liver and heart are nutrient-dense foods, providing large amounts of vitamins and minerals relative to their calorie content.
“Liver is one of the best sources of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, immune function and skin health. It is also rich in B vitamins, especially B12 which is useful for red blood cell formation, energy production and nerve function,” he says.
However, he adds, organ meats contain more saturated fat than lean meats like chicken breast or beef, so they should be eaten in moderation.
Erling Haaland plays in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, at the Etihad Stadium on April 17. Photo: Reuters
£50,000 cryotherapy chamber
In 2022, Haaland ordered a £50,000 cryogenic chamber to help him stay in top form. The chamber can cool down to -200C and requires protective gloves to use. It contains liquid nitrogen to cool the body and repair tissues. Each person should only spend a maximum of five minutes in it to prevent serious health risks such as hypothermia and frostbite.
Cryotherapy, also favoured by Usain Bolt, is said to reduce inflammation and swelling from injuries, reducing recovery time after sports. Proponents also claim that the therapy boosts blood circulation, improves the immune system, reduces fatigue and helps wounds heal faster. Some experts believe that cryotherapy stimulates the release of endorphins, a natural painkiller and mood enhancer. This can help athletes feel more energised and focused, which is important for their performance on the court or pitch.
However, the scientific community is divided on the therapy. Some experts say it may act as a positive placebo, helping athletes recover faster, though it has no real effect. Doctors have previously warned people with diabetes and neuropathy against using the therapy, as they may find it ineffective.
Mouth patch while sleeping
The Norwegian striker also has an unusual way of sleeping to improve his performance. Appearing on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast last year, Haaland shared that he often wears a mouthpiece while sleeping to maximize breathing through his nostrils.
Several studies have shown that breathing through your nose at night helps eliminate bad breath, prevent snoring, and reduce the risk of gum disease. James Nestor, author of the book Breath: The new science of a lost artalso found that breathing can significantly affect sleep quality, anxiety, and respiratory disorders such as asthma. However, taping your mouth at night is quite dangerous.
When the trend emerged on social media earlier this year, many experts warned of its dangers. The Sleep Foundation said the habit can disrupt sleep by causing irritation, anxiety and difficulty breathing. It can even be life-threatening for children, causing choking on vomit and death.