Chronic Supplementation of 2S-Hesperidin Improves Acid-Base Status and Decreases Lactate at FatMax, at Ventilatory Threshold 1 and 2 and after an Incremental Test in Amateur Cyclists

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Currently, hesperidin is a molecule found mainly in citrus fruits and is being widely researched in the area of chronic disease, but also in the field of sports nutrition. Some studies have shown its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism modulating effects, including the enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis. However, few human studies have demonstrated a positive effect of hesperidin intake, in particular 2S-hesperidin, on sports performance, particularly in anaerobic and aerobic tests. However, the biochemical mechanisms that may be responsible for this enhanced performance have not yet been described. Therefore, one of the aims of this study was to assess whether an eight-week intake of 2S-hesperidin can improve acid-base status and metabolic status (lactate and glucose) in an incremental test in amateur cyclists. The results showed that amateur cyclists chronically supplemented with 2S-hesperidin improved acid-base status and lactate at FatMax, ventilatory thresholds 1 and 2, and in the acute phase of recovery after maximal effort. ABSTRACT: Chronic supplementation with 2S-hesperidin improves performance; however, the mechanisms underlying this effect have not yet been explored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether changes in acid-base status may be associated with improved performance after 2S-hesperidin supplementation compared to microcellulose (placebo). Forty amateur cyclists (n = 20 per group) underwent a rectangular test where capillary blood samples were taken at baseline, FatMax1, VT1, VT2, P(MAX), FatMax2 and EPOC to measure acid-base parameters. After eight weeks of 2S-hesperidin supplementation (500 mg/d) increased HCO(3)(−), SBC, ABE (p ≤ 0.05) and decreased Lac were found at FatMax1, VT1, FatMax2 and EPOC (p ≤ 0.05), while decreased Lac at VT2 was found with a large effect size (ES = 1.15) compared to placebo. Significant group differences in the area under the curve were observed when comparing pre-post-intervention pH changes (p = 0.02) between groups. Chronic supplementation with 2S-hesperidin improved acid-base status and Lac, both at low-moderate and submaximal intensities, improving recovery after exercise-to-exhaustion in amateur cyclists.