Effects of natural polyphenol-rich pomegranate juice supplementation on plasma ion and lipid profiles following resistance exercise: a placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Pomegranate juice (POMj) contains abundant soluble polyphenolic antioxidant compounds and is recommended for its cardioprotective/atheroprotective properties. However, very few studies have investigated the efficacy of POMj supplementation to alter physiological responses during intensive physical exercise. This placebo-controlled study aimed to examine whether supplementation with natural polyphenol-rich-POMj could influence the ionic or lipid responses to an intensive resistance training session in elite athletes. METHODS: Nine elite weightlifters (21 ± 1 years) performed two Olympic-weightlifting sessions after ingesting placebo and POMj supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min after each session for assessment of plasma sodium ([Na(+)]), potassium ([K(+)]), chloride ([Cl(−)]), calcium ([Ca(2+)]), triglyceride ([TG]) and high-density lipoprotein ([HDL-C]), low-density lipoprotein ([HDL-C]) and total ([TC]) cholesterol concentrations. RESULTS: Plasma [K(+)] and [TG] were lowered post-exercise compared to resting values in the PLA condition (p = 0.03 for K(+) and p = 0.02 for TG) with no pre-to-post exercise differences in the other plasma ion and lipid markers (p > 0.05). Compared to rest, plasma [Na(+)] and [Cl(−)] were increased (p = 0.04, %change = 4.10% for Na(+) and p = 0.02, %change = 4.44% for Cl(−)), but there were no differences in the other plasma ion or lipid markers post-exercise after POMj supplementation (p > 0.05). Post-exercise plasma [Na(+)], [Cl(−)], and [HDL-C] were greater following POMj supplementation compared to PLA (p = 0.01 for Cl- and HDL-C, p = 0.02 for Na+, and p = 0.04 for TC), with no between-supplement post-exercise differences in the other ion and lipid markers (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, supplementation with POMj has the potential to attenuate the acute imbalance of plasma [K(+)] and to improve blood lipid responses (i.e., HDL-C) following resistance exercises in elite weightlifters. However, further large research in both athletic and non-athletic populations is needed to corroborate these preliminary observations and to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms and translational potential of our novel observations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name of the registry:ClinicalTrials.gov PRS The registration number:NCT02697903. Date of Registry: 03/03/2016 ‘Retrospectively registered’. The registration title: Pomegranate Improve Biological Recovery Kinetics in Elite Weightlifter. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]