Increased Plasma Levels of Gut-Derived Phenolics Linked to Walking and Running Following Two Weeks of Flavonoid Supplementation

• Main Authors: David C. Nieman, Colin D. Kay, Atul S. Rathore, Mary H. Grace, Renee C. Strauch, Ella H. Stephan, Camila A. Sakaguchi, Mary Ann Lila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: exercise; polyphenol; metabolite; hippurate; intestinal tract; colon
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/11/1718

Using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group design, this investigation determined if the combination of two weeks of flavonoid supplementation (329 mg/day, quercetin, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols mixture) and a 45-minute walking bout (62.2 &#177; 0.9% VO_2max (maximal oxygen consumption rate)) enhanced the translocation of gut-derived phenolics into circulation in a group of walkers (<i>n</i> = 77). The walkers (flavonoid, placebo groups) were randomized to either sit or walk briskly on treadmills for 45 min (thus, four groups: placebo&#8315;sit, placebo&#8315;walk, flavonoid&#8315;sit, flavonoid&#8315;walk). A comparator group of runners (<i>n</i> = 19) ingested a double flavonoid dose for two weeks (658 mg/day) and ran for 2.5 h (69.2 &#177; 1.2% VO_2max). Four blood samples were collected (pre- and post-supplementation, immediately post- and 24 h post-exercise/rest). Of the 76 metabolites detected in this targeted analysis, 15 increased after the 2.5 h run, and when grouped were also elevated post-exercise (versus placebo&#8315;sit) for the placebo&#8315; and flavonoid&#8315;walking groups (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). A secondary analysis showed that pre-study plasma concentrations of gut-derived phenolics in the runners were 40% higher compared to walkers (<i>p</i> = 0.031). These data indicate that acute exercise bouts (brisk walking, intensive running) are linked to an increased translocation of gut-derived phenolics into circulation, an effect that is amplified when combined with a two-week period of increased flavonoid intake or chronic training as a runner.