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Multiple Biological Mechanisms for the Potential Influence of Phytochemicals on Physical Activity Performance: A Narrative Review

Authors :
Robert Thomas
Madeleine Williams
Jeffrey Aldous
Kevin Wyld
Source :
Nutraceuticals, Vol 3, Iss 3, Pp 353-365 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Natural phytochemicals (PCs) are responsible for the taste, colour, and aroma of many edible plants. Cohort studies have linked higher intake to a reduced risk of chronic degenerative diseases and premature ageing. The ability of foods rich in PCs, such as phytanthocyanins, apigenin, flavonols, flavonoids, bioflavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and ellagitannins, to support physical activity has also been highlighted in a number of published pre-clinical and prospective clinical studies. This literature mostly emphasises the ability of PCs to enhance the adaptive upregulation of antioxidant enzymes (AEs), which reduces exercise-associated oxidative stress, but there are several other mechanisms of benefit that this narrative review addresses. These mechanisms include; protecting joints and tendons from physical trauma during exercise; mitigating delayed-onset muscle symptoms (DOMS) and muscle damage; improving muscle and tissue oxygenation during training; cultivating a healthy gut microbiome hence lowering excess inflammation; cutting the incidence of upper respiratory tract viral infections which disrupt training programmes; and helping to restore circadian rhythm which improves sleep recovery and reduces daytime fatigue, which in turn elevates mood and motivation to train.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16613821
Volume :
3
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Nutraceuticals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.076ef88bc06345579f0c2abdbfa3f361
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/nutraceuticals3030027