Blueberries Good for Muscle Damage Caused by Exercise
Lee Swanson Research Update
Damage to muscle cells exposed to oxidative stress was significantly reduced when also exposed to doses of blueberry fruit extracts, according to findings published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
"In our study blueberry fruits were suggested as good candidates to combat muscle oxidative damage although further investigations, especially at an in vivo level, are needed," wrote the researchers, led by Dr. Roger Hurst from New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research.
Blueberries, nature’s only "blue" food, are a rich source of polyphenols, potent antioxidants that include phenolic acids, tannins, flavonols and anthocyanins. The berries are said to have a number of positive health effects.
While the new study supports a potential role for improved muscle health, the researchers note the limitations of their in vitro approach, particularly in relation to how this translates to effects in vivo.
"Much further research using human intervention studies is warranted to fully understand the implication of the findings reported here with our in vitro evaluations," wrote the researchers. "Bioavailability concerns also make it difficult to evaluate if the doses used in this and many other published in vitro studies are appropriate."
Dr. Hurst and his co-workers used developing skeletal muscle fibers, also known as myotubes, and exposed them to various concentrations of fruit extracts, as well as a calcium compound known to induce stress as occurs in exercising muscle (calcium ionophore), or a compound known to induce oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide). Results showed that blueberry extract protected the muscle fibers in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis of the extract indicated that the active compounds could be malvidin galactoside and malvidin glucoside, the researchers said.
"These in vitro data support the concept that blueberry fruits or derived foods rich in malvidin glycosides may be beneficial in alleviating muscle damage caused by oxidative stress," wrote Dr. Hurst and his co-workers.
"Although it is difficult to deduce the biological significance of the data presented here from in vitro studies, one may speculate that consumption of blueberry fruit polyphenolics and particularly malvidin glycosides may be beneficial in alleviating the damaging consequences of oxidative stress in muscle tissue," the researchers added.
"Our data further endorse that more research in the action of blueberry fruit polyphenolics and muscle function is warranted. Detailed research, especially utilizing human intervention trials, may provide the robust evidence required to support the use of blueberry fruit polyphenolics in functional foods and/or sports supplements," they concluded.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 54(3):353-363, 2010
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April 2010