AIS shopCareersSign In or register

What do they do?

  • The promotion of fruit and vegetable intake to support general health has been advocated for years. A greater understanding of the emerging role of polyphenols in favourable health, exercise performance and recovery outcomes further strengthens the public health message to maintain a high intake of fruit and vegetables. A summary of emerging research on outcomes relating to exercise performance and recovery from polyphenol ingestion follows below. Polyphenols appear to mimic some aspects of exercise training and may have an additive effect alongside exercise.2
  • Polyphenols, by virtue of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle pain associated with muscle damage induced by exercise, thereby enabling an earlier return to normal muscle strength/force.2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Early studies on quercetin (a type of flavonoid) supplementation promoted reduced perception of exercise effort, perhaps related to improved blood flow, including cerebral.7
  • A meta-analysis of studies on blackcurrants showed an overall improvement to performance of high intensity prolonged exercise, predominantly cycling, with a greater effect in higher level athletes than sub-elite.9 Polyphenols may also reduce muscle soreness and improved recovery post exercise.4, 5, 6
  • Flavonoids may reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adults.8
  • Anthocyanins (a type of flavonoid) may enhance nitric oxide production, facilitating blood flow during exercise.7
  • Tart cherries contain melatonin which may aid sleep.5

Back to top