Effects of Beetroot and Pomegranate Juice Supplementation on Creatine Kinase and C-Reactive Protein in Amateur Soccer Players

Background: Intense physical activity, such as football (soccer), can induce exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and associated inflammatory responses. These perturbations can lead to increased levels in serum biomarkers such as creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP). In response, athletes increasingly employ various recovery modalities, with nutritional interventions featuring antioxidant properties representing a prominent strategy. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of beetroot juice (BEJ) and pomegranate juice (POJ)—beverages recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential—, on modulating CK and CRP levels in football players throughout a regular training cycle. Participants and Methods: A cohort of 18 amateur football players was allocated into three groups (n=6 per group): a pomegranate juice (POJ) group; a beetroot juice (BEJ) group; and a placebo (PLA) group. Baseline CK and CRP levels were determined before and after a high intensity training (HIT) session prior to supplementation. Participants then consumed their daily supplement for 22 days. CK and CRP levels were re-assessed 24 hours before and after HIT sessions on days 12 and 22 of the intervention. Results: Following the 22-day supplementation period, CK levels was significantly lower in both POJ (209.30 ± 44.25 IU/L, p < 0.0001) and BEJ (188.27 ± 26.29 IU/L p < 0.0001) compared to the PLA group (327.75 ± 15.32 IU/L). No statistically significant difference in CK reduction was observed between the POJ and BEJ groups (p >0.05). In contrast, CRP levels did not exhibit any significant changes across the groups at any measurement point (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings reveal that both pomegranate and beet juices supplementation offer comparable protective effects against EMID, as demonstrated by the attenuation of post-exercise CK levels. This underlines the significance of the quality and diversity of bioactive compounds in nutritional recovery strategies. The study also highlights the complex relationship between exercise, muscle damage, and systemic inflammation, necessitating the exploration of further markers for a complete assessment. Keywords: Beta vulgaris; Punica granatum; Antioxidant Supplementation; Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage (EIMD); C-Reactive Protein; Team Sports Nutrition; Recovery Strategies.