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Phenolic Compounds in Exercise Physiology: Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Recovery Adaptation
Kübra ÖZDEMİR, Yeliz Demir. Food Science & Nutrition, 2025-07-28
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Exercise-induced oxidative stress results from the overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) during intense physical activity, potentially impairing muscle function and recovery. Phenolic compounds, abundant in plant-based foods, are known for their potent antioxidant properties and may modulate redox homeostasis in athletes. This review critically examines the dual role of phenolic compounds in exercise physiology, highlighting both their protective antioxidant effects and the risks of excessive intake that may disrupt adaptive responses. We provide an overview of their molecular mechanisms, dose-dependent outcomes, and bioavailability issues, alongside evidence from animal and human studies. Notably, excessive antioxidant supplementation may interfere with beneficial exercise-induced adaptations, including mitochondrial biogenesis. The review also emphasizes the need for personalized antioxidant strategies based on individual training status, exercise intensity, and metabolic variability. Future research should address long-term effects, optimal dosing, and the interaction of phenolic compounds with other dietary antioxidants. Our findings aim to inform evidence-based recommendations for integrating phenolic compounds into exercise recovery and performance strategies.
Key findings
- Exercise-induced oxidative stress results from the overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) during intense physical activity, potentially impairing muscle function and recovery.
- Our findings aim to inform evidence-based recommendations for integrating phenolic compounds into exercise recovery and performance strategies.
Why it matters
This review discusses how phenolic compounds may protect against exercise-induced oxidative stress but also warns that excessive antioxidant supplementation may interfere with beneficial exercise adaptations. It does not study Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 47/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Food Science & Nutrition) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Food Science & Nutrition: journal h-index 108 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 73 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 24.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 22.9× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 73 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Yeliz Demir: h-index 64 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Atatürk University: institution h-index 273 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40735406) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 47 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70714
- PubMed: 40735406
- Original source →
- Free full text: Food Science & Nutrition →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
ÖZDEMİR, K., & Demir, Y. (2025). Phenolic Compounds in Exercise Physiology: Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Recovery Adaptation. Food Science & Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70714
Vancouver
ÖZDEMİR K, Demir Y. Phenolic Compounds in Exercise Physiology: Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Recovery Adaptation. Food Science & Nutrition. 2025. doi:10.1002/fsn3.70714. PMID: 40735406.
BibTeX
@article{ozdemir2025-40735406,
author = {ÖZDEMİR, Kübra and Demir, Yeliz},
title = {{Phenolic Compounds in Exercise Physiology: Dual Role in Oxidative Stress and Recovery Adaptation}},
journal = {Food Science \& Nutrition},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/fsn3.70714},
pmid = {40735406},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70714}
}
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