Flavonoid polyphenols are bioactive phytochemicals found in fruits and teas among other sources. Gao Z, Yin X and Cao Q (2026) The role and application prospects of plant-derived bioactive peptides in exercise fatigue recovery. The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Profound investigation and analysis on the SAR of the bioactive peptides from plants are necessary for translational conversion and application based on biological activity. Plant-derived peptides, with a PPARα stimulation effect, promote fatty acid oxidation instead of storage (53, 62), helping athletes to sustain a proper body composition, but also optimizing their metabolic flexibility between carbohydrate and fat use for different levels of exercise intensity and time duration. One of the favorable consequences from using plant bioactive peptides in animal and human diets is to activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha , PPARα, by up-regulating transcription factors of PPARα, which can help regulate the conversion of fatty acid during treatment (28).
Two authors , S.Z. & Y.X., assessed the included literature through the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) assessment tool. Studies must provide quantitative measurements of athletic performance or physiological indices (such as aerobic performance), anaerobic performance, heart rate, blood glucose, and so on. The included studies must include both a control group and a protein group, with the control group demonstrating a significant difference in protein intake compared to the protein group. Studies that lacked available data to be extracted and non-original studies (including letters), reviews, or editorials, were excluded during the selection process. We excluded non-human studies (including those on animals), plants, and so on. The keywords and subject heading were determined through two reviewers’ discussions, and these words were collected from the Pubmed Mesh database.
We hypothesize that protein intake can improve athletic performance through muscle strength and endurance performance in athletes. By synthesizing current evidence, this study seeks to provide clearer insights into the effectiveness of protein on athletic performance. Muscle glycogen storage proved to be a key factor in maintaining athletic performance after high-intensity exercise.
Key takeaways
Schematic of plant extracts and their effects on exercise (including reducing muscle damage), improving recovery, and increasing energy availability, with examples and specific benefits. This underscores the importance of balancing ROS scavenging with preservation of adaptive signaling—a key consideration for plant-based antioxidant supplementation in sports nutrition. For practical application, this means the blend is effective even if consumed 30–60 min after training (e.g., by athletes who experience gastrointestinal discomfort with immediate post-exercise whey intake). These additives can be classified into various categories, including herbal extracts, essential oils, and whole-plant powders, each offering unique properties and potential health benefits (7–9). However, many individuals face challenges in achieving optimal exercise performance due to factors such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disturbances (3, 4). Vegetable oils such as olive oil and palm oil provide lipids, while fruit and vegetables contribute vitamins and minerals to the diet.
There are an estimated 400,000 different species of plants known to science (and new species are continually being described), particularly http://www.tothe92.co.uk/links/cannabis-legalization.html from tropical areas of the world. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Feedback Type Select a type , Required, Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Some plants that produce windblown pollen (including grasses), invoke allergic reactions in people who suffer from hay fever.
These findings suggest that high-fat diets quickly disrupt cellular metabolism — reducing energy expenditure, while a low-fat, plant-based diet has the opposite effect, increasing postprandial energy expenditure. In a 5-day experiment in human volunteers, a 55%-fat diet led to a marked increase in circulating endotoxins and, in turn, to a significant impairment of postprandial cellular glucose oxidation . This is important for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and improving glycemic control in individuals with diabetes, which is a major contributor to atherosclerosis.
Authors of the study were approached to share raw data; in cases where data were not provided, reported figures were analyzed using WebPlotDigitizer. GSSI offered an honorarium for taking part in the meeting and writing this article. All authors bear the responsibility for ensuring the integrity of every section of the article. Moreover — certain medicinal plants may present benefits for enhancing performance and facilitating recovery. Given that rigorous training and competition create structural and functional imbalances — CBD consumption could potentially aid in restoring physical performance.
This article might have utilized AI tools for translation or editing purposes. Editing and final approval of the article were handled by Sycheva. The conceptual design (result interpretation), and writing of the article were responsibilities of S.N. Shlykov. Up until now (research has been limited regarding cannabis for sports-related injuries or specific applications in sports), with most studies focusing on other conditions.
Besides raising the likelihood of cardiac events — atherosclerosis can also constrict arteries in the legs, brain, and other areas of the body, leading to reduced blood flow and potentially hindering performance. Up to now (daily intake has mirrored early studies that indicated some benefits), and no dose comparison studies on exercise recovery have been conducted. The tart cherry powder exhibited the highest total phenolic content, 25, 26, 27 but none of these investigations demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing recovery in the days following exercise. Two studies utilizing tart cherry concentrate gel and two studies employing tart cherry powder indicated no improvements in recovery on the days following exercise , refer to Tables 1 and 2,. Studies that investigated cherry juice (whether from concentrate or fresh-frozen cherries), consistently showed recovery enhancements, with at least one positive effect noted in 9 out of 11 studies.
Top Natural Supplements for Recovery of Muscles.
Subgroup analyses were performed to provide substantial evidence supporting the findings of the meta-analysis. Both fixed-effects and random-effects models were utilized in the meta-analysis to assess the influence of protein intake on athletic performance. A comprehensive search of databases was carried out to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of protein intake on the performance of athletes. The objective of this study was to investigate the connection between protein intake and athletic performance.