New Study Finds That Quercetin May Increase Your Exercise Endurance
Quercetin is quickly becoming the new “in” antioxidant and we can see why!
This plant-derived flavonoid is found in a number of fruits and vegetables such as onions, capers, apples, leafy greens and red grapes. Many researchers agree that the consumption of quercetin rich foods is associated with reduced risk for a number of chronic diseases. Additionally, it has been known to protect blood vessels, fight allergies, and decrease one’s risk for metabolic syndrome. And adding to that impressive list, a new study indicates that quercetin may have the ability to influence exercise stamina like researchers have never seen before.
The study, conducted at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, examined participants who were split into two groups. Half of the individuals took 500 mg of quercetin twice a day and the other half took a placebo. After just seven days, the group taking the quercetin supplement had a 13.2% increase in endurance in addition to a 3.9% increase in VO2max (a measure of the body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently and one of the most useful tests for physical fitness).
All participants were healthy individuals but none of them were trained, leaving researchers to conclude that quercetin can positively influence one’s ability to shape up — and fast! Research leader, Dr. Mark Davis, enthusiastically noted that his team believes that “this could be a major breakthrough in nutrition.” He goes on to say that, “While there’s no magic pill to make people get up and move, or to take the place of regular exercise, quercetin may be important in relieving the fatigue that keeps [people] sedentary and in providing some of the benefits of exercise.”
More clinical trials need to be conducted before health officials can determine the mechanisms by which quercetin is able to increase endurance, however, pre-clinical data suggests that it may increase the mitochondria activity in both the brain and muscle cells, which is one of the most important biological mechanisms for increasing endurance, Davis said.
This study sheds new light on natural supplements for exercise enhancement and offers some exciting news for those who are currently taking, or interested in taking quercetin supplements. The findings are appealing to a broad spectrum of individuals in the health field and people are eager to give this new technique a “go.” Whether you’re an athlete, or just somebody looking to gain the upper hand in exercise endurance, this antioxidant compound might do just the trick.
