The Acute Effects of Milk Consumption on Systemic Inflammation after Combined Resistance and Plyometric Exercise in Young Adult Females

Abstract

High-intensity/impact exercise elicits a transient increase in inflammatory biomarkers. Consuming nutrient-dense wholefoods, like milk, following exercise may modulate post-exercise inflammation and aid recovery. We examined the effect of post-exercise skim milk consumption (versus an isoenergetic, isovolumetric carbohydrate [CHO] drink) on acute exercise-induced inflammation in untrained females. Using a randomized crossover design, 13 healthy females (age = 20 ± 2.3 y; BMI = 21.0 ± 1.1 kg/m2) completed two bouts of combined resistance/plyometric exercise followed by either skim milk (MILK) or CHO at 5-min and 1 h post-exercise. Serum interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were measured at pre-exercise, 15-min, 75-min, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise. IL-6 increased 15-min post-exercise vs. all other timepoints (time effect, p = 0.017). Between 24 and 48 h, IL-10 decreased and increased in the MILK and CHO conditions, respectively (interaction, p = 0.018). There were no significant effects for IL-1β or TNF-α. Relative concentrations of IL-1β (p = 0.049) and IL-10 (p = 0.028) at 48 h post-exercise were lower in MILK vs. CHO. Milk post-exercise did not influence the absolute concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, there were divergent responses for the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, and milk reduced the relative inflammatory response at 48 h (vs. CHO) for IL-1β and IL-10. This demonstrates the potential for milk to modulate inflammation post-exercise in this sample.

Exploring the Impact of Personalized Nutritional Approaches on Metabolism and Immunity: A Systematic Review of Various Nutrients and Dietary Patterns

“…This study explored the potential benefits of milk consumption in reducing post-exercise inflammation. The study measured the concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10) in the blood of untrained females who consumed either skim milk or an isoenergetic, isovolumetric carbohydrate beverage following high-intensity/impact exercise [ 25 ]. The study included 13 females with an average age of 20.3 ± 2.3 years.…”

“…The study included 13 females with an average age of 20.3 ± 2.3 years. The results indicated that consuming skim milk after high-intensity/impact exercise led to lower levels of the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and TNF-α and higher levels of the anti-inflammatory biomarker IL-10 compared to consuming an isoenergetic, isovolumetric carbohydrate drink [ 25 ].…”

Nutrition-Based Strategies to Reduce Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and Soreness

“…Supplementing the diets of older adults with either pea protein, whey protein or an isocaloric placebo for 13 days, Spoelder et al [3] found that only whey protein reduced CK levels in the days after a bout of prolonged (~5 h) walking. Further supporting the potential benefits of dairy protein, Fraschetti et al [4] illustrate the ability of cow's milk to alter the post-eccentric exercise inflammatory response by reducing the relative inflammatory responses for IL-1β and IL-10.…”