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.