Quercetin Lowers Blood Lactate Response During Progressively Intense Exercise

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the potential for mitochondrial biogenesis with chronic quercetin ingestion and such an elevation in mitochondrial content could reduce reliance on anaerobic metabolism at high exercise intensities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of 21 days of quercetin ingestion (1,000 mg/day) on blood lactate response during incremental exercise to 90% VO2peak. METHODS: Seven cyclists and triathletes completed a blood lactate threshold test prior to and immediately following 21 days of quercetin ingestion. Subjects consumed 500 mg of quercetin in 500 mL of a sports beverage immediately upon waking and immediately before bed daily, between tests. The lactate threshold test required subjects to cycle progressively through nine workload stages (50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, and 90% of VO2peak) for 4 minutes per stage. During the final 30 seconds of each stage a venous blood sample was collected for lactate analysis. RESULTS: The ingestion of quercetin resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in blood lactate at intensities equal to and above 75% VO2peak and resulted in a significant increase in the wattage (6.8 ± 4.9 W, P = 0.01) associated with 4 mM blood lactate. CONCLUSION: Ingesting 1,000 mg of quercetin daily for three weeks reduced the blood lactate response at exercise intensities equal to and above 75% VO2peak and improved cycling power output at 4 mM blood lactate threshold.