Acute cocoa flavanol intake affects antioxidative capacity and mediates the no- pathway in well trained athletes: Implications for exercise performance
Journal Title: Journal of Science and Cycling - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Evidence exists that cocoa flavanol (CF) can increase nitric oxide synthesis. This promotes vasodilation and several physiological processes, such as mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis, glucose uptake and SR-Ca handling, that may support exercise performance1. Moreover, CF intake is also known for its antioxidative capacities (in vitro and in vivo), resulting in reduced levels of oxidative stress2. During exhaustive exercise, free radical production increases dramatically, resulting in an altered redox state in the muscle, which possibly inhibits muscle contraction3. Acute intake of antioxidants may help neutralize free radicals and therefore directly prevent a decline in exercise performance4. Moreover, increased antioxidative capacity may repress the formation of peroxinitrite, which may elevate NO availability5. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of CF intake on 1) NO production in response to exhaustive exercise, 2) exercise-induced changes in antioxidative capacity and oxidative stress and 3) exercise performance in well-trained athletes.
Authors and Affiliations
Lieselot Decroix, Cajsa Tonoli, Danusa Dias Soares, Elsa Heyman, Antje Weseler, Aalt Bast, Romain Meeusen
Keywords
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