Resveratrol blunts the positive effects of exercise training on cardiovascular health in aged men

Gliemann L, Schmidt JF, Olesen J, Biensø RS, Peronard SL, Grandjean SU · The Journal of Physiology

Resveratrol worked against the training. Maximal oxygen uptake rose 444 ± 38 ml/min on placebo versus 308 ± 46 ml/min on resveratrol — a 45% greater gain without the supplement. Mean arterial pressure fell 4.8 ± 1.7 mmHg on placebo only, interstitial prostacyclin was lower and muscle thromboxane synthase higher on resveratrol, and the training-induced improvements in LDL, cholesterol ratio and triglycerides were abolished. Muscle SIRT1 protein was unaffected.

Population

Healthy physically inactive men, mean age 65

Intervention

trans-Resveratrol 250 mg/day for 8 weeks alongside high-intensity exercise training

Comparator

Placebo plus the same training

Limitations

Twenty-seven men in one centre, and the result has not been cleanly replicated. Publicly funded by Danish research councils. Directly relevant to anyone combining a supplement with a rehabilitation or strengthening programme.