Natural Plant Substance Helps Reduce Illness In Physically Stressed Athletes

Researchers at Appalachian State University have proved that a natural antioxidant derived from plants (Quercetin) is able to reduce illness and maintain mental performance in physically stressed test subjects.

Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in red grapes, red wine, red apples, green tea, and broccoli, is the first plant compound proven in a controlled clinical trial to reduce susceptibility to viral illness. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Quercetin on athletes exposed to extreme physical stress (which typically weakens one's immune system and increases the chance of infection). In this study, twenty cyclists ingested 1,000 milligrams of quercetin per day for 5 weeks; while another twenty cyclists were given a placebo. Three weeks into the study the cyclists road a bicycle three hour per day for three consecutive days to the point of exhaustion. The primary results from this study revealed that 45 percent of the cyclists that took the placebo reported illness following the exercise, while only 5 percent of the quercetin group reported any days of illness. Furthermore, the researchers found that following the three days of exhaustive exercise, quercetin helped maintain mental alertness and reaction time, similar to that of caffeine.

Results from this study suggest that the ingestion of quercetin during the training of athletes may help reduce the likelihood of illness, in turn, resulting in more "quality" training and competition days.