Effect of pomegranate supplementation and aerobic training on total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in overweight men

Oxidative stress is reported to be the cause of many diseases, especially in the obese. Recently, the use of herbal supplements, particularly polyphenols – has been emphasized to prevent the formation of free radicals. Thus, the present study was performed to determine the effect of long-term pomegranate supplementation and aerobic training on total antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation in overweight men. Twenty overweight men were assigned to two equal supplement and placebo groups in a randomized and double-blind study (200mg/day pomegranate or dextrose for two months). Meanwhile, both groups participated in running tests with Vo2max70 during the period. Then, blood samples of the subjects were taken during three phases (before and after the 4th and the 8th week of the running. Finally, the obtained data (Mean±SD) was analyzed by means of SPSS software (V: 20) using ANOVA and Bonferroni statistical tests at the significant level P≤0.05. It was found that MDA index decreased in the pomegranate supplementation group compared to placebo group (P=0.016). But, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) index in neither of the groups was significant (P=0.72). Results of the study indicate that pomegranate supplementation can reduce MDA derived from lipid peroxidation after 8 week running training in the obese.