We conducted a systematic review of human trials examining the effects of dietary phytochemicals on Nrf2 activation. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, Medline, Embase and CAB abstracts were searched for articles from inception until March 2020. Studies in adult humans that measured Nrf2 activation (gene or protein expression changes) following ingestion of a phytochemical, either alone or in combination were included. The study was pre-registered on the Prospero database (Registration Number: CRD42020176121). Twenty-nine full-texts were retrieved and reviewed for analysis; of these, eighteen were included in the systematic review. Most of the included participants were healthy, obese or type 2 diabetics. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Assessment tool. Twelve different compounds were examined in the included studies: curcumin, resveratrol and sulforaphane were the most common (n = 3 each). Approximately half of the studies reported increases in Nrf2 activation (n = 10); however, many were of poor quality and had an unclear or high risk of bias. There is currently limited evidence that phytochemicals activate Nrf2 in humans. Well controlled human intervention trials are needed to corroborate the findings from in vitro and animal studies.

We tested the hypothesis that acute supplementation with nitrate (NO3 -)-rich beetroot juice (BR) would improve quadriceps muscle oxygenation, pulmonary oxygen uptake ( O2) kinetics and exercise tolerance (Tlim) in normoxia and that these improvements would be augmented in hypoxia and attenuated in hyperoxia. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, ten healthy males completed two-step cycle tests to Tlim following acute consumption of 210 mL BR (18.6 mmol NO3 -) and NO3 --depleted beetroot juice placebo (PL; 0.12 mmol NO3 -). These tests were completed in normobaric normoxia [fraction of inspired oxygen content (FIO2): 21%], hypoxia (FIO2: 15%) and hyperoxia (FIO2: 40%). Pulmonary O2 and quadriceps tissue oxygenation index (TOI), derived from multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy, were measured during all trials. Plasma [nitrite] was higher in all BR compared to all PL trials (P<0.05). Quadriceps TOI was higher in normoxia compared to hypoxia (P<0.05) and higher in hyperoxia compared to hypoxia and normoxia (P<0.05). Tlim was improved after BR compared to PL ingestion in the hypoxic trials (250 ± 44 vs. 231 ± 41 s; P=0.006; d=1.13), with the magnitude of improvement being negatively correlated with quadriceps TOI at Tlim (r

This study tested the hypothesis that the increases in salivary and plasma [NO2−] after dietary NO3− supplementation would be greater when oral temperature and pH were independently elevated, and increased further when oral temperature and pH were elevated concurrently. Seven healthy males (mean ± SD, age 23 ± 4 years) ingested 70 mL of beetroot juice concentrate (BR, which provided ~6.2 mmol NO3−) during six separate laboratory visits. In a randomised crossover experimental design, salivary and plasma [NO3−] and [NO2−] were assessed at a neutral oral pH with a low (TLo-pHNorm), intermediate (TMid-pHNorm), and high (THi-pHNorm) oral temperature, and when the oral pH was increased at a low (TLo-pHHi), intermediate (TMid-pHHi), and high (THi-pHHi) oral temperature. Compared with the TMid-pHNorm condition (976 ± 388 µM), the mean salivary [NO2−] 1–3 h post BR ingestion was higher in the TMid-pHHi (1855 ± 423 µM), THi-pHNorm (1371 ± 653 µM), THi-pHHi (1792 ± 741 µM), TLo-pHNorm (1495 ± 502 µM), and TLo-pHHi (2013 ± 662 µM) conditions, with salivary [NO2−] also higher at a given oral temperature when the oral pH was increased (p < 0.05). Plasma [NO2−] was higher 3 h post BR ingestion in the TMid-pHHi, THi-pHHi, and TLo-pHHi conditions, but not the TLo-pHNorm and THi-pHNorm conditions, compared with TMid-pHNorm (p < 0.05). Therefore, despite ingesting the same NO3− dose, the increases in salivary [NO2−] varied depending on the temperature and pH of the oral cavity, while the plasma [NO2−] increased independently of oral temperature, but to a greater extent at a higher oral pH.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether (poly)phenol supplementation augments the physiological adaptations to exercise training. Eligible studies administered a (poly)phenol supplement alongside ≥2 weeks of supervised exercise in adult humans. After screening, 22 studies were included in the analysis. Isoflavones and green tea (poly)phenols were administered most frequently. Quality assessments suggested most studies were free from bias. (Poly)phenols had no effect on training-induced adaptations in muscle strength, peak power output, and 𝑉𝑉 ̇O2max, but enhanced exercise capacity (SMD: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.09, P < 0.01). (Poly)phenols had no overall effect on fat loss (SMD: 0.10, 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.29; P = 0.97) or lean mass gains (SMD: 0.06, 95% CI: -0.18 to 0.30, P = 0.62) but sub-analysis suggested that isoflavones increased lean mass (SMD: 0.25, 95 CI%: -0.00 to 0.50, P = 0.05). Resveratrol impaired adaptations in two studies, although this was a non-statistically significant finding (SMD: -0.54, 95% CI: -1.15 to 0.07, P = 0.08). Our results suggest that isoflavones may augment aspects of the adaptive response to exercise training, while resveratrol may compromise training adaptations. More high-quality research is needed to resolve the effects of (poly)phenols on exercise training adaptations.