O objetivo do artigo foi efetuar revisão sobre o consumo alimentar de atletas, enfatizando recomendações nutricionais, adequações dietéticas, comportamento alimentar e limitações dos métodos na avaliação dietética e estimativa do gasto energético nesta população. Foram analisados 30 artigos, publicados no período de 1984-2004, selecionados em bases eletrônicas de dados. O critério de inclusão dos artigos foi a abordagem sobre aspectos nutricionais relacionados ao exercício, recomendações de energia e nutrientes, bem como consumo alimentar de atletas. As recomendações de energia, macronutrientes e hidratação para atletas já estão bem determinadas, porém, pouco se conhece sobre as necessidades de vitaminas e minerais. Contudo, existe um consenso de que as necessidades de micronutrientes para a maioria desses indivíduos podem ser atendidas por uma dieta variada e equilibrada. Por outro lado, estudos indicam que a inadequação de energia e nutrientes ainda predomina em vários grupos atléticos, revelando a necessidade da reeducação nutricional. Diversos fatores inerentes à modalidade esportiva, tais como os esquemas de treinamento e as exigências relativas à imagem corporal, podem influenciar os hábitos alimentares do atleta. Portanto, a compreensão das relações entre o padrão de alimentação de atletas e os diversos fatores relacionados ao esporte são aspectos fundamentais para o estabelecimento de orientações nutricionais. A ocorrência de erros sistemáticos em pesquisas com atletas que empregam métodos que utilizam o auto-relato, ressalta a importância do rigor metodológico na aplicação desses instrumentos.Termos de indexação: atletas; consumo de alimentos; recomendações nutricionais; treinamento.

Dietary phytochemical supplementation may improve muscle recovery from exercise. In this study, we investigated the effect of mate tea (MT) consumption -a phenol-rich beverage -on muscle strength and oxidative stress biomarkers after eccentric exercise. In a randomised, crossover design, twelve men were assigned to drink either MT or water (control; CON) for 11 d. On the 8th day, subjects performed three sets of twenty maximal eccentric elbow flexion exercises. Maximal isometric elbow flexion force was measured before and at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise. Blood samples were obtained before and at 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise and analysed for total phenolics, GSH, GSSG, GSH:GSSG ratio and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). After eccentric exercise, muscle strength was significantly reduced over time, regardless of treatments. However, MT improved the rate of strength recovery by 8·6 % on the 1st day after exercise (P < 0·05). Plasma concentration of total phenolic compounds was higher in MT than in CON at all time points (P < 0·05) but decreased significantly at 72 h after exercise in both trials (P < 0·05). Blood levels of GSH were significantly decreased at 48 and 72 h after exercise in CON (P < 0·05) but did not change over time in MT. No significant changes were observed for GSSG, GSH:GSSG ratio and LOOH levels. MT intake did not influence muscle strength at all time points assessed but hastened the strength recovery over 24 h after exercise. MT also favoured the concentration of blood antioxidant compounds.

Increased superoxide production by phagocytic NADPH oxidase has been associated with inflammatory conditions. Growing evidences suggest that dietary polyphenols may modulate the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits. Herein, we examined whether soluble mate tea (SMT) consumption - a polyphenol-rich beverage - affects the expression of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase protein p47 and/or circulating biomarkers of inflammation and antioxidant biomarkers in humans. In a two-phase study, nine men were requested to drink water (control) for 8 d and then follow a second 8-d period drinking SMT. Blood samples were analysed for p47 protein in CD16/CD14 cells, interleukin (IL)-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, total phenols, and reduced and oxidised glutathione (GSH and GSSG, respectively) after each study phase. After SMT intake, CD16/CD14 cells' p47 protein and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly attenuated (P < .05) while plasma phenolic compounds and blood GSH:GSSG ratio were significantly enhanced (P < .05). Consumption of SMT favourably affected leukocytes' p47 expression and inflammatory cytokine and antioxidants levels in peripheral blood, which may help decrease oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation.

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Introduction The consumption of yerba mate (YM), a source of antioxidants, in a fasted state increases fatty acid oxidation (FATox) during low–moderate-intensity exercise and improves performance in high-intensity exercise. However, the impact of a pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) meal on YM effects during exercise is unknown. Objective We investigated the effects of yerba mate drink (YMD) consumed in the fasted state (YMD-F) or after a CHO meal (YMD-CHO) on measurements of metabolism, performance, and blood oxidative stress markers in cycling exercise. Methods In a randomized, repeated-measures, crossover design, eight trained male cyclists ingested (i) YMD-CHO, (ii) YMD-F, or (iii) control-water and CHO meal (Control-CHO). The YMD (an infusion of 5 g of ultrarefined leaves in 250 mL of water) was taken for 7 days and 40 min before exercise. CHO meal (1 g/kg body mass) was consumed 60 min before exercise. The cycling protocol included a 40-min low-intensity (~ 53% V̇O2peak) constant load test (CLT); a 20-min time trial (TT); and 4 × 10-s all-out sprints. Blood samples and respiratory gases were collected before, during, and/or after tests. Results During CLT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 13% vs. YMD-F (P = 0.041) and ~ 27% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). During TT, YMD-CHO increased FATox ~ 160% vs. YMD-F (P < 0.001) and ~ 150% vs. Control-CHO (P < 0.001). Power output during TT improved ~ 3% (P = 0.022) in YMD-CHO vs. Control-CHO and was strongly correlated with changes in serum total antioxidant capacity (r = −0.87) and oxidative stress index (r = 0.76) at post-exercise in YMD-CHO. Performance in sprints was not affected by YMD. Conclusion CHO intake did not negate the effect of YMD on FATox or TT performance. Instead, a synergism between the two dietary strategies may be present. Clinical Trial Registration NCT04642144. November 18, 2020. Retrospectively registered.