The Effect of Short-Term Pomegranate Supplementation on Lipid Damage and Total Antioxidant Capacity following One Session of Exhaustive Exercise

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of short-term pomegranate supplementation on lipid damage and antioxidant capacity following a session of exhaustive exercise in non-athletes. 30 male non-athlete students (mean age: 21.78±1.54 years, weight: 72.29±6.11 kg, height: 178.54±6.97 cm, BMI: 22.25±3.13 kg/m2) were selected as the sample and were randomly assigned to two groups: pomegranate capsules supplement (200 mg daily, one meal a day for 14 days) and placebo. The first blood samples were collected at the baseline before supplementation; the second blood samples were collected after 14 days of supplementation and before Bruce test; the third blood samples were collected after this test. The data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test (P≤0.05). The results showed that MDA concentration significantly reduced after 14 days in the supplement group in comparison with the control group after the exhaustive exercise (P≤0.001). Also, the total antioxidant capacity index significantly increased after 14 days in the supplement group compared with the control group after the exhaustive exercise (P≤0.001). Therefore, pomegranate capsules supplementation can be used to reduce lipid damage due to severe physical exercise. However, since few studies have been conducted in this area, more research is needed.