How can chokeberry (Aronia) (poly)phenol-rich supplementation help athletes? A systematic review of human clinical trials

Abstract

Athletes are increasingly consuming (poly)phenol supplements to modify oxidative stress and/or exercise-induced inflammation, in the hope that this will enhance exercise performance.

Effects of Vaccinium berries (blueberries, cranberries and bilberries) on oxidative stress, inflammation, exercise performance, and recovery – a systematic review

“…22–24 They are easily available to the public and have affordable pricing in comparison to other berries, which makes them attractive to consumers. There are other (poly)phenol-rich berries such as chokeberries ( Aronia melanocarpa ) that have been previously studied as sports supplements, 25 yet they might not be accessible and affordable to most consumers. Elderberries ( Sambucus nigra ) are also known as (poly)phenol-rich berries, 26 yet they have not been studied for any potential sports applications.…”

Polyphenol supplementation boosts aerobic endurance in athletes: systematic review

“…In recent years, professional sports teams and amateur enthusiasts have widely embraced natural plant extracts and phytochemicals to enhance their athletic performance, speed up post-exercise recovery, and maintain their overall physical health ( Striegel et al, 2005 ; Kim et al, 2011 ; Darvishi et al, 2013 ; Knapik et al, 2016 ). Polyphenols represent a crucial category of natural botanical extracts, and there is mounting evidence to suggest their significant potential in enhancing athletic performance and aiding recovery ( Bai et al, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; López-Torres et al, 2022 ; Sánchez Díaz et al, 2022 ; Roberts et al, 2023 ; Zare et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Polyphenols can reduce the formation of peroxynitrite by inhibiting NOX ( Maraldi, 2013 ). Consequently, this enhances endogenous antioxidant capacity and preserves the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) ( Zare et al, 2023 ). Therefore, the ergogenic effects of polyphenols seem to be supported by vascular and antioxidative mechanisms.…”

Comprehensive Utilization Technology of Aronia melanocarpa

“…Due to its powerful health benefits, Aronia is widely used to make nutritional supplements and health drinks; perhaps more commonly than other fruits of the Rosaceae family [ 12 ]. Although many fruits of the Rosaceae family are used in jams, beverages, and desserts, Aronia has unique uses as food coloring and natural additive due to its special taste and color (dark purple to black) [ 13 ].…”