The Role of Grape Juice and Grape-Derived Products in the Prevention of Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Athletes
Chapter from the book:
Karakurt,
P.
&
Fırat,
M.
(eds.)
2025.
Current Approaches in The Field of Health.
Synopsis
Regular and moderate-intensity exercise has been shown to exert protective effects against oxidative stress and to contribute positively to overall health. However, high-intensity or prolonged physical activity may lead to increased tissue inflammation and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby promoting oxidative stress. Elevated ROS levels can overwhelm endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms, resulting in muscle damage and a decline in athletic performance. In recent years, the use of natural foods and dietary components rich in polyphenols and antioxidants has gained increasing attention in sports nutrition as a strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress. In this review, the effects of grape juice and various grape-derived products, which are known for their high polyphenol content, on exercise-related oxidative stress are evaluated based on the current scientific literature. The reviewed studies indicate that both acute and chronic consumption of grape juice may enhance antioxidant capacity and improve certain biomarkers of oxidative stress. Nevertheless, findings regarding the impact of grape juice on oxidative stress parameters remain partially inconsistent across the literature.In contrast, human and experimental animal studies investigating alternative grape-derived products such as grape extract, grape seed, and grape leaf have reported more consistent outcomes, demonstrating increased antioxidant capacity and reduced levels of oxidative stress markers. Overall, grape and grape-derived products appear to offer potential benefits in attenuating exercise-induced oxidative stress and may be considered valuable natural antioxidant sources in athlete nutrition. However, further well-designed studies are required to clarify optimal dosage, duration of use, and timing in relation to exercise.
