The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review
Abstract Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, muscle soreness, and reductions in muscle function. Cocoa flavanols (CF) are (poly)phenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and thus may attenuate symptoms of EIMD. The purpose of this...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00319-8 |
| _version_ | 1830338784186597376 |
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| author | Liam D. Corr Adam Field Deborah Pufal Tom Clifford Liam D. Harper Robert J. Naughton |
| author_facet | Liam D. Corr Adam Field Deborah Pufal Tom Clifford Liam D. Harper Robert J. Naughton |
| author_sort | Liam D. Corr |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, muscle soreness, and reductions in muscle function. Cocoa flavanols (CF) are (poly)phenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and thus may attenuate symptoms of EIMD. The purpose of this narrative review was to collate and evaluate the current literature investigating the effect of CF supplementation on markers of exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as changes in muscle function, perceived soreness, and exercise performance. Acute and sub-chronic intake of CF reduces oxidative stress resulting from exercise. Evidence for the effect of CF on exercise-induced inflammation is lacking and the impact on muscle function, perceived soreness and exercise performance is inconsistent across studies. Supplementation of CF may reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, with potential for delaying fatigue, but more evidence is required for any definitive conclusions on the impact of CF on markers of EIMD. Graphic abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T20:46:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-28caf42fcb6c4196afb0fa663762f4ca |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2052-1847 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T20:46:52Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-28caf42fcb6c4196afb0fa663762f4ca2022-12-21T20:06:13ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472021-08-0113111610.1186/s13102-021-00319-8The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative reviewLiam D. Corr0Adam Field1Deborah Pufal2Tom Clifford3Liam D. Harper4Robert J. Naughton5School of Human and Health Sciences, University of HuddersfieldSchool of Human and Health Sciences, University of HuddersfieldSchool of Human and Health Sciences, University of HuddersfieldSchool of Sport, Health, and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough UniversitySchool of Human and Health Sciences, University of HuddersfieldSchool of Human and Health Sciences, University of HuddersfieldAbstract Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, muscle soreness, and reductions in muscle function. Cocoa flavanols (CF) are (poly)phenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and thus may attenuate symptoms of EIMD. The purpose of this narrative review was to collate and evaluate the current literature investigating the effect of CF supplementation on markers of exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as changes in muscle function, perceived soreness, and exercise performance. Acute and sub-chronic intake of CF reduces oxidative stress resulting from exercise. Evidence for the effect of CF on exercise-induced inflammation is lacking and the impact on muscle function, perceived soreness and exercise performance is inconsistent across studies. Supplementation of CF may reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, with potential for delaying fatigue, but more evidence is required for any definitive conclusions on the impact of CF on markers of EIMD. Graphic abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00319-8Dark chocolateMuscle damageFatigueMuscle functionOxidative stressInflammation |
| spellingShingle | Liam D. Corr Adam Field Deborah Pufal Tom Clifford Liam D. Harper Robert J. Naughton The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Dark chocolate Muscle damage Fatigue Muscle function Oxidative stress Inflammation |
| title | The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review |
| title_full | The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review |
| title_short | The effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance: a narrative review |
| title_sort | effects of cocoa flavanols on indices of muscle recovery and exercise performance a narrative review |
| topic | Dark chocolate Muscle damage Fatigue Muscle function Oxidative stress Inflammation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00319-8 |
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