The Effects of a 4-week Coffeeberry Supplementation on Antioxidant Status, Endurance, and Anaerobic Performance in College Athletes

Abstract

The main aim of this investigation was to evaluate the changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and aerobic and anaerobic performance induced by supplementation of coffeeberry (CB) formulation for 4 weeks in college athletes. Twenty college athletes (14 males and 6 females) were allocated to two randomly assigned trials. Subjects in the CB group orally ingested capsules that contained CB formulation at a dose of 800 mg per day in two equal doses for 28 days, while subjects in the placebo (P) group ingested an equal number of identical-looking caps that contained cellulose. There were no changes in glucose, cholesterol, and lipoproteins within or between trials (p > 0.05). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly higher in the CB versus P trial at the post- supplementation trial (1.66 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.51 +/- 0.05 mmol/L; p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in average anaerobic power, index of anaerobic fatigue, maximal heart rate, blood lactate, and maximal oxygen uptake within or between trials (p > 0.05). Heart rate recovery (HRR) index increased significantly in CB group as compared with baseline level (38 +/- 4 vs. 32 +/- 5 beats/min; p < 0.05). Blood lactate after 10 min of recovery (Lact(rec)) significantly decreased in the CB group after supplementation protocol as compared with initial results (7.6 +/- 4.2 vs. 5.5 +/- 2.6 mmol/L; p < 0.05). No subject reported any side effects from CB or P. The results of the present study indicate that supplementation with a CB formulation slightly increased antioxidant capacity, but there were minimal effects on recovery parameters after exercise in college athletes.

Does Vitamin C and E Supplementation Impair the Favorable Adaptations of Regular Exercise?

“…Indeed, the disparity noted among the vitamin C and E studies and analyzed in the present review can also be seen with other antioxidants. For example, supplementation with N-acetylcysteine or ubiquinone-10 reported to attenuate the adaptive responses to exercise [22, 52], spirulina or quercetin to enhance the adaptive responses to exercise [53, 54] as well as green tea extract or coffee berries to exert no effect on adaptations to exercise [55, 56]. There is a tendency to include molecules with heterogeneous properties, such as those presented previously, under the general heading of “antioxidants.” This approach might lead to erroneous interpretations, because these molecules have different mechanisms of action and the antioxidant activity is only one of their functions, if any [57].…”

Acute Effects of Polyphenols from Cranberries and Grape Seeds on Endothelial Function and Performance in Elite Athletes

“…The increase in time to exhaustion after intake of polyphenols from Ecklonia cava has been seen along with a non-significant trend towards a decrease in plasma lactate levels in college students [32]. In another study testing the effect of four-week supplementation with 800 mg of a coffeeberry formulation (polyphenol content not provided), blood lactate concentrations after 10 min of recovery following a 60-second vertical jump test were significantly reduced compared with placebo [33]. However, similar to our study, there was no significant effect of the supplementation on anaerobic performance [33].…”

“…In another study testing the effect of four-week supplementation with 800 mg of a coffeeberry formulation (polyphenol content not provided), blood lactate concentrations after 10 min of recovery following a 60-second vertical jump test were significantly reduced compared with placebo [33]. However, similar to our study, there was no significant effect of the supplementation on anaerobic performance [33]. In our study, blood lactate levels were also lower prior to the 3-km TT, i.e., just after the warm-up, when subjects had consumed the polyphenol-rich drink.…”

The Influence of Red Fruit (Pandanus Conoideus Lam.) Oil on Glutathione Peroxidase Level at Maximum Physical Activity

“…Free radicals will be neutralized through elaborated system made of enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidants [2,8]. Some researchers reported supplementation of natural or synthetic antioxidants are required for the neutralization of free radicals formed during heavy physical activities [9][10][11][12].…”