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The effect of acute pre-exercise dark chocolate consumption on plasma antioxidant status, oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exercise

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Abstract

Purpose

Acute antioxidant supplementation may modulate oxidative stress and some immune perturbations that typically occur following prolonged exercise. The aims of the present study were to examine the effects of acutely consuming dark chocolate (high polyphenol content) on plasma antioxidant capacity, markers of oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exercise.

Methods

Fourteen healthy men cycled for 2.5 h at ~60% maximal oxygen uptake 2 h after consuming 100 g dark chocolate (DC), an isomacronutrient control bar (CC) or neither (BL) in a randomised-counterbalanced design.

Results

DC enhanced pre-exercise antioxidant status (P = 0.003) and reduced by trend (P = 0.088) 1 h post-exercise plasma free [F2-isoprostane] compared with CC (also, [F2-isoprostane] increased post-exercise in CC and BL but not DC trials). Plasma insulin concentration was significantly higher pre-exercise (P = 0.012) and 1 h post-exercise (P = 0.026) in the DC compared with the CC trial. There was a better maintenance of plasma glucose concentration on the DC trial (2-way ANOVA trial × time interaction P = 0.001), which decreased post-exercise in all trials but was significantly higher 1 h post-exercise (P = 0.039) in the DC trial. There were no between trial differences in the temporal responses (trial × time interactions all P > 0.05) of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis stress hormones, plasma interleukin-6, the magnitude of leukocytosis and neutrophilia and changes in neutrophil function.

Conclusion

Acute DC consumption may affect insulin, glucose, antioxidant status and oxidative stress responses, but has minimal effects on immunoendocrine responses, to prolonged exercise.

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Acknowledgments

This study received financial support from the Nestle Research Centre, Switzerland. At the time of submission, both Karen Cooper and Gary Williamson were employed by the Nestle Research Centre. Glen Davison, Robin Callister and Michael Gleeson have no conflicts of interest. GD, KAC, GW and MG were responsible for study design. GD, RC and MG conducted the research; GD and MG analysed the data. All authors contributed to writing the paper, and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript. The authors thank Dominic Grathwohl for statistical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

    Michael Gleeson

  2. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, Aberystwyth, SY23 3FD, UK

    Glen Davison

  3. Nestle Research Center, Vers Chez les Blanc, 1000, Lausanne 26, Switzerland

    Gary Williamson & Karen A. Cooper

  4. School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Gary Williamson

  5. School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia

    Robin Callister

Authors
  1. Glen Davison
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  2. Robin Callister
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  3. Gary Williamson
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  4. Karen A. Cooper
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  5. Michael Gleeson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glen Davison.

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Davison, G., Callister, R., Williamson, G. et al. The effect of acute pre-exercise dark chocolate consumption on plasma antioxidant status, oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to prolonged exercise. Eur J Nutr 51, 69–79 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0193-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0193-4

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