The Effect Of Acerola Intake On Metabolic And Immunological Parameters In Elite Athletes

PURPOSE: Acerola is the edible tropical fruit known for its high antioxidant activity. It is recommended as a superfood to improve general health. However, its role in elite sport has not been studied in detail so far. Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the role of regular use of acerola on parameters of immune system, oxidative stress, and metabolism in elite athletes. METHODS: The study was carried out in 22 elite endurance athletes (mean age = 24.4 ± 4 years; M:F ratio = 1.75), who were supplemented with acerola pulp at a dose of 300 g/day for three weeks. Detailed laboratory studies, including analysis of biochemical, hematological and immunological parameters, were carried out in all subjects before and after acerola supplementation. RESULTS: Acerola supplementation did not change any parameter tested for oxidative stress, but decreased serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG and IgA: 10.94 vs 9.72 g/L. and 1.7 vs 1.6 g/L, respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons) and some inflammatory markers (C1q complement component: 144 vs 126 mg/L, p < 0.001). Simultaneously, acerola significantly decreased serum glucose (4.8 vs 4.6 mmol/L, p = 0.001), urea 6.3 vs 5.8 mmol/L, p = 0.016), and liver enzymes ALT (0.48 vs 0.41 ukal/L, p = 0.005) and AST 0.51 vs 0.40, p < 0.001), suggesting its role in metabolic flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Acerola supplementation appears to play a beneficial role in elite endurance sports by improving low-grade inflammatory status and metabolic flexibility. Long-term, larger studies are needed to confirm current data and possible impact on sports performance, as well as to assess any side effects of chronic use. Supported by: grant MH CZ-DRO-VFN64165 from the Czech Ministry of Health