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Review
. 2022 Nov 29;14(23):5069.
doi: 10.3390/nu14235069.

Nutritional Compounds to Improve Post-Exercise Recovery

Emma O'Connor  1 , Toby Mündel  1 , Matthew J Barnes  1
Affiliations
Review

Nutritional Compounds to Improve Post-Exercise Recovery

Emma O'Connor et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The metabolic and mechanical stresses associated with muscle-fatiguing exercise result in perturbations to bodily tissues that lead to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), a state of fatigue involving oxidative stress and inflammation that is accompanied by muscle weakness, pain and a reduced ability to perform subsequent training sessions or competitions. This review collates evidence from previous research on a wide range of nutritional compounds that have the potential to speed up post-exercise recovery. We show that of the numerous compounds investigated thus far, only two-tart cherry and omega-3 fatty acids-are supported by substantial research evidence. Further studies are required to clarify the potential effects of other compounds presented here, many of which have been used since ancient times to treat conditions associated with inflammation and disease.

Keywords: EIMD; exercise recovery; exercise-induced muscle damage; nutritional strategy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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