The Potential Benefits of Natural Bioactive Compounds in an Anti-Inflammatory Diet on Sarcopenia in Older Adults

Sarcopenia, a progressive condition marked by the gradual decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, is increasingly prevalent among older adults. While resistance training remains an established intervention, dietary strategies have gained attention as feasible and complementary approaches to mitigate muscle decline. This paper summarizes recent studies from the past few years on the potential benefits of natural bioactive compounds commonly found in culinary spices, with a focus on curcumin (in turmeric), piperine (in black pepper), cinnamaldehyde and Cinnamic Acid (in cinnamon) and rosmarinic acid (in rosemary, RosA). For each compound, representative studies were selected to illustrate current evidence. Clinical trials investigating curcumin supplementation have reported modest improvements in muscle strength and endurance. Preclinical studies using animal models have revealed that piperine possesses both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, along with its capacity to enhance curcumin bioavailability in humans. In vitro studies on cinnamaldehyde and RosA have shown protective effects against inflammation-induced muscle atrophy. Although these findings highlight promising mechanisms through which dietary bioactive compounds may contribute to the prevention and management of sarcopenia, most evidence to date is derived from animal models, cell culture experiments, or small pilot trials in healthy individuals. Large-scale, well-designed clinical studies targeting older adults with clinically diagnosed sarcopenia are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of these interventions.