Black Tea Extract Promotes Sports Recovery

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.Consumption of a proprietary theaflavin-enriched black tea extract can improve recovery and reduce oxidative stress after high-intensity exercise, according to a new study out of Rutgers University (J Intl Soc Sports Nutr. 2010;7:11. DOI:10.1186/1550-2783-7-11). In the double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 18 college-age males with more than 1 year of weight training experience consumed the black tea extract (from WellGen) or placebo for nine days, and completed two interval training sessions on day seven. Blood samples obtained before, during and after the interval sessions assessed delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.

Consumption of black tea extract produced significantly higher average peak power and higher average mean power, while decreasing DOMS at 24 and 48 hours after training. The intervention also lowered levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. The researchers concluded the extract could improve recovery in athletes performing anaerobic exercise, which could facilitate increased frequency of exercise.

This study is important for two reasons, commented Roddy Carter, M.D., president and CEO, WellGen. This is good news for athletes and people who exercise for health, because while inflammation is needed to clear the debris from muscles to facilitate muscle regeneration, prolonged inflammation can hinder good health and recovery. More important, is that inflammation continues to be at the root of a large number of major diseases, such as diabetes, which still challenge medical professionals despite the broad availability of pharmaceutical interventions. This study provides exciting data about the impact that WellGens proprietary black tea extract has on important biomarkers related to both exercise and health.