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Polyphenol Supplementation: Benefits for Exercise Performance or Oxidative Stress?
Open accessAbstract
Supplement use among athletes is widespread, including non-traditional and biological compounds. Despite increasing research, a comprehensive and critical review on polyphenol supplementation and exercise is still lacking. This review is relevant for researchers directly involved in the topic, as well as those with a broad interest in athletic performance enhancement and sports nutrition. The purpose of this review is to present background information on groups of polyphenols and their derivatives because their differing chemical structures influence mechanisms of action; to discuss the potential of plant, fruit and vegetable-based biological supplements, high in polyphenol content, to affect exercise performance and biomarkers of oxidative stress and exercise-induced muscle damage; and to critically discuss the exercise studies and biomarkers used. Subjects in the studies reviewed were either sedentary, healthy individuals, or active, recreationally trained or well-trained athletes. Polyphenol supplementation in exercise studies included mainly extracts (multicomponent or purified), juices, infusions or an increased intake of polyphenol-rich foods. This review includes details of supplement doses and exercise test protocols. Many studies considered only the performance or one or two selected biomarkers of antioxidant capacity instead of a comprehensive choice of biomarkers to assess damage to lipids or proteins. Evidence is insufficient to make recommendations for or against the use of polyphenol supplementation (neither specific polyphenols nor specific doses) for either recreational, competitive or elite athletes. Polyphenols have multiple biological effects, and future exercise studies must be designed appropriately and specifically to determine physiological interactions between exercise and the selected supplement, rather than considering performance alone.
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![Fig. 1 A Early studies noted the benefit of orange and lemon juice in preventing disease (scurvy) [8]. B Research carried out on civilians during war time indicated that the minimal requirement to prevent disease was different from the optimal requirement—supplementation resulted in better maintenance of physique despite food rationing [1]. C Even in 1960, water-soluble citrus polyphenols were more effective than vitamin C in preventing ‘injury’ in athletes [9]. The 1990s saw a surge in research attempting to define the constituents of the Mediterranean diet that conferred a benefit in reducing CVD. However, it has taken another 2 decades for scientists to gain a real interest in the potential effects of polyphenols on exercise performance. CVD cardiovascular disease](/paper-figures/6858425179704a6a81f9f8c92c73f0ad/polyphenol-supplementation-benefits-for-exercise-performance-or-oxidative-stress-figure-1.jpg)
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“therefore, the use of antioxidants can reduce muscle soreness and help with recovery in the short term”
From The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates (2020) · cites this paper as [102]
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“An increased antioxidant status leads to the reduction of oxidative stress caused by the production of reactive oxygen species during the inflammatory process [102]; therefore, the use of antioxidants can reduce muscle soreness and help with recovery in the short term, but high doses have also been linked to reduced training benefits in the long term.”
From The 4R’s Framework of Nutritional Strategies for Post-Exercise Recovery: A Review with Emphasis on New Generation of Carbohydrates (2020) · cites this paper as [102]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Myburgh, K. H.
- Affiliations
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Myburgh, Kathryn H.
- ORCID
- Myburgh, Kathryn H.
- Venue
- Sports Medicine
- Published
- 2014-05
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- S1
- Pages
- 57-70
- ISSN
- 0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
- 1179-2035
- PMC
- PMC4008802
- OpenAlex
- W2073187728
- Cited by
- 162
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 1.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Sports Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- PepsiCo
- Gran Sasso Science Institute
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry (medical) › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- polyphenol supplementation, exercise performance, oxidative stress, exercise-induced muscle damage, antioxidant capacity, athletes, sports nutrition, plant extracts, biomarkers
- MeSH terms
- Antioxidants, Humans, Physical Endurance, Vitamins, Biomarkers, Exercise, Oxidative Stress, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements, Athletic Performance, Polyphenols, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Physical Conditioning, Human
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