Enervit sports gel may reduce inflammation for endurance runners: Study
The randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial, published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed the effects of Carbo Gel C2:1, an energy gel by Italian sports nutrition brand Enervit on 26 healthy long-distance runners.
The researchers found that high-dose 2:1 maltodextrin–fructose supplementation before, during and after a 15 km run at 90% VO2max intensity significantly reduces inflammatory markers and metabolic stress.
“Administering a high dose of maltodextrin-fructose in a 2:1 ratio led to a significant decrease in inflammatory biomarkers such as white blood cells, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol compared to the placebo group,” authors Sergio Davinelli and Alessandro Medoro, both affiliated with the University of Molise in Campobasso, Italy, told Nutraingredients.
The research was funded by the non-profit Paolo Sorbini Foundation, which promotes the scientific research in the field of nutrition. Equipe Enervit Srl provided scientific support and donated the test product and placebo used in the study.
Inflammation during exercise
Previous research has identified mechanisms that cause inflammation and muscle damage during exercise and has discussed how nutritional supplementation, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can aid recovery and performance.
Comparing carbohydrate supplementation to EPA/DHA supplementation for inflammation, the authors explained that while carbohydrates can attenuate the rise of pro-inflammatory lipids like arachidonic acid (AA), the effects on the AA/EPA ratio and ω-3 index tend to be more transient.
“In contrast, supplementation with EPA and DHA, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, plays a more direct and sustained role in modulating the AA/EPA ratio and ω-3 index,” they said, adding that though carbohydrate supplementation may offer immediate post-exercise benefits, EPA/DHA supplementation may provide a more significant and lasting regulation of long-term inflammation.
The researchers also noted that previous studies into the effect of carbohydrate supplementation during exercise on inflammation have reported conflicting results and limitations—mainly because the supplements were not at optimal doses and the training was not intense enough to cause the body to use carbohydrates as its exclusive energy source.
The present study used maltodextrin and fructose at a ratio of 2:1, allowing the body to absorb more carbohydrates than it can from a single source where transporter saturation limits oxidation to around 60 g per hour.
Study details
Randomized participants with a median age of 32 (four females and 22 males), completed a treadmill test and then two running sequences consisting of a 3 km warm-up and a 15 km endurance run at 90% VO2 max with a washout period of seven days in between.
The researchers analyzed blood lactate, inflammatory markers, heart rate, perceived exertion (RPE) rate, weight, muscle soreness and gastrointestinal symptoms.
They concluded that supplementation can acutely mitigate inflammation during a one-hour endurance activity of moderate to high intensity and may reduce post-endurance levels of AA. In addition, the supplement had favorable effects on the omega-3 fatty acid profile post-exercise.
“Optimizing carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise may therefore enhance recovery by attenuating inflammatory responses and improving lipid balance, particularly concerning ω-3 fatty acid levels and the AA/EPA ratio,” the researchers said.
They did however call for further research to investigate the mechanisms behind combined supplementation and its benefits on running training, performance and recovery.
“To build upon these findings, future research should investigate the combined effects of carbohydrate and EPA/DHA supplementation on the AA/EPA ratio and the ω-3 index to determine if synergistic benefits exist, especially for athletes undergoing high-intensity training regimes,” they noted.
Source: Nutrients
2024, 16(18), 3078; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16183078
“Effects of maltodextrin–fructose supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers and lipidomic profile following endurance running: A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial.”
Authors: S Righetti et al.
