In addition to aerobic endurance and anaerobic capacity, high power-to-weight ratio (PWR) is important for cycling performance. Cyclists often try to lose weight before race season to improve body composition and optimize PWR. Research has demonstrated body fat-reducing benefits of exercise after fasting overnight. We hypothesized that fasted-state exercise in calorie-restricted trained cyclists would not result in performance decrements and that their PWR would improve significantly. We also hypothesized that substrate use during fasted-state submaximal endurance cycling would shift to greater reliance on fat. Ten trained, competitive cyclists completed a protocol consisting of baseline testing, 3 weeks of caloric restriction (CR), and post-CR testing. The testing sessions measured pre- and post-CR values for resting metabolic rate (RMR), body composition, VO2, PWR and power-to-lean weight ratio (PLWR), and power output, as well as 2-hour submaximal cycling performance, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER). There were no significant differences between baseline and post-CR for submaximal trial RER, power output, VO2, RMR, VO2max, or workload at VO2max. However, RPE was significantly lower, and PWR was significantly higher post-CR, whereas RER did not change. The cyclists' PWR and body composition improved significantly, and their overall weight, fat weight, and body fat percentage decreased. Lean mass was maintained. The cyclists' RPE decreased significantly during 2 hours of submaximal cycling post-CR, and there was no decrement in submaximal or maximal cycling performance after 3 weeks of CR combined with overnight fasting. Caloric restriction (up to 40% for 3 weeks) and exercising after fasting overnight can improve a cyclist's PWR without compromising endurance cycling performance.

Background Obesity-associated low-grade inflammation contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Apples are rich in anti-inflammatory bioactives including polyphenols and fiber. Objectives We aimed to determine the effects of regular apple consumption on fasting plasma biomarkers of inflammation (primary outcome), endotoxemia, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism (glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol; secondary outcomes), and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-secreted cytokines (secondary outcome) in individuals with overweight and obesity. Methods A randomized, controlled, parallel-arm trial was conducted with n = 46 participants. After avoiding foods and beverages rich in polyphenols and fiber for 2 wk, participants consumed 3 whole Gala apples (∼200 g edible parts)/d as part of their habitual diet (n = 23) or avoided apples (control, n = 23) for 6 wk. All participants limited consumption of polyphenols and fiber during the 6-wk trial. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after 6 wk for analysis of plasma biomarkers and isolation of PBMCs, which were cultured for 24 h unstimulated or stimulated with LPS (10 ng/mL). Results Forty-four participants completed the trial (30 female, 14 male; mean ± SEM age: 45.4 ± 2.2 y; BMI: 33.4 ± 0.9 kg/m2). After ANCOVA and correcting for multiple comparisons, apples decreased fasting plasma C-reactive protein by 17.0% (range: 14.3%–19.6%, P = 0.005), IL-6 by 12.4% (range: 6.7%–17.5%, P < 0.001), and LPS-binding protein by 20.7% (range: 14.1%–26.4%, P < 0.001) compared with control. Apples also decreased PBMC-secreted IL-6 by 28.3% (range: 22.4%–33.5%, P < 0.001) and IL-17 by 11.0% (range 5.8–15.6%, P = 0.003) in the unstimulated condition compared with control. Exploratory analysis showed apples also increased plasma total antioxidant capacity by 9.6% (range: 1.7–18.9%, P = 0.002) compared with control. However, apples had no effect on anthropometric or other CVD risk markers. Conclusions Six-week daily whole Gala apple consumption may be an effective dietary strategy to mitigate the obesity-associated inflammation that exacerbates CVD risk, without weight loss. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03523403.

Objectives Systemic low-grade inflammation mechanistically links obesity to impairments in the metabolic processes central to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This phenomenon is promoted by digestion of a high-fat meal, whereas whole foods with proposed anti-inflammatory actions, such as apples, may be beneficial. Thus, the current studies aimed to assess the effects of acute and chronic consumption of whole apples on biomarkers of inflammation in overweight and obese adults. Methods Overweight or obese adults in otherwise good health were recruited. With n = 26 (17 female/9 male; mean age 45.5 ± 3.1 y; mean BMI 34.1 ± 0.2 kg/m2), a randomized, crossover trial was conducted to assess the effects of acute (one time) consumption of 3 whole Gala apples (∼200 g) on the 6 h postprandial inflammatory response (e.g., plasma gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytokines) to an oral fat tolerance test (1 g fat/kg body weight). Fasting and 4 h postprandial peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also isolated from whole blood and stimulated with 10 ng/mL LPS for 24 h to measure secreted cytokines. With n = 46 (32 female/14 male; mean age, 46.2 ± 2.2 y; mean BMI 33.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2), a parallel-arm, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of chronic (6 week) consumption of 3 whole Gala apples per day (∼200 g) on fasting inflammatory markers. Results Acute apple consumption decreased 4 h postprandial unstimulated (IL-1β, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, TNF-α) and LPS-stimulated (IL-6, TNF-α) PBMC-secreted inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05, n = 18). Similarly, chronic apple consumption decreased fasting unstimulated (IL-6) and LPS-stimulated (IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α) PBMC-secreted inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05; n = 16–18/group), as well as plasma IL-6 (P < 0.05, n = 22/group). Conclusions Both acute and chronic whole apple consumption may be an effective dietary strategy to mitigate the obesity-associated inflammation that precedes and exacerbates metabolic disease risk. Funding Sources Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs; Ontario Apple Growers.

High fat meal-induced postprandial inflammation is exacerbated in overweight and obesity and may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to determine the effects of apples, rich in...

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