Human Physiology Research Group, Faculty of Physical Education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
Department of Physical Education, University of Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 Campus-Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Sports Med. 2018 Apr;48(4):867-892. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0849-1.
Cocoa flavanols (CFs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and can improve vascular function. It has recently been suggested that CF intake may improve exercise performance and recovery. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the literature on the effects of CF intake on exercise performance and recovery and exercise-induced changes in vascular function, cognitive function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic parameters.
Two electronic databases (Pubmed and Web of Science) were searched for studies examining the combination of CF intake and exercise in humans (up to 28 March 2017). Articles were included if the exact amount of CFs was mentioned. The methodological quality and level of bias of the 13 included studies was assessed according to the checklist for randomized controlled trials from the Dutch Cochrane center.
Acute, sub-chronic (2 weeks) and chronic (3 months) CF intake reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress. Evidence on the effect of CF on exercise-induced inflammation and platelet activation was scarce. Acute CF intake reduced and tempered the exercise-induced increase in blood pressure in obese participants. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake altered fat and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise. Acute and sub-chronic CF intake did not have ergogenic effects in athletes, while chronic CF intake improved mitochondrial efficiency in untrained participants. While combining sub-chronic CF intake and exercise training improved cardiovascular risk factors and vascular function, evidence on the synergistic effects of CF and exercise training on oxidative stress, inflammation, and fat and glucose metabolism was lacking.
CF intake may improve vascular function, reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, and alter fat and carbohydrate utilization during exercise, but without affecting exercise performance. There is a strong need for future studies examining the synergetic effect of chronic CF intake and exercise training.
可可黄烷醇（CFs）具有抗氧化和抗炎作用，并能改善血管功能。最近有人提出，CF 的摄入可能会改善运动表现和恢复能力。本系统评价旨在评估 CF 摄入对运动表现和恢复能力以及运动引起的血管功能、认知功能、氧化应激、炎症和代谢参数变化的影响。
在 Pubmed 和 Web of Science 两个电子数据库中搜索了截至 2017 年 3 月 28 日检查 CF 摄入与人类运动相结合的研究。如果提到了 CFs 的确切数量，则将文章包括在内。根据荷兰 Cochrane 中心的随机对照试验清单评估了 13 项纳入研究的方法学质量和偏倚程度。
急性、亚慢性（2 周）和慢性（3 个月）CF 摄入可降低运动引起的氧化应激。CF 对运动引起的炎症和血小板激活的影响的证据很少。急性 CF 摄入可减少和抑制肥胖参与者运动引起的血压升高。急性和亚慢性 CF 摄入可改变运动期间的脂肪和碳水化合物代谢。急性和亚慢性 CF 摄入对运动员没有增强运动能力的作用，而慢性 CF 摄入可提高未经训练参与者的线粒体效率。虽然亚慢性 CF 摄入与运动训练相结合可改善心血管危险因素和血管功能，但缺乏 CF 和运动训练对氧化应激、炎症和脂肪及葡萄糖代谢协同作用的证据。
CF 摄入可改善血管功能，降低运动引起的氧化应激，并改变运动期间的脂肪和碳水化合物利用，但不影响运动表现。需要进一步研究慢性 CF 摄入和运动训练的协同作用。
