Abstract

Quercetin is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, mainly present as quercetin glycosides. It is found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, wines and teas. Quercetin has shown a variety of biologic activities including antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and a susceptibility reduction to viral infection. It is well established that regular and moderate exercise results in a low-moderate reactive oxygen species increase, with a role as cellular signals able to induce an adaptive response. On the contrary, intense and exhaustive exercise is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Quercetin is currently under study regarding the field of the physical activity as an ergogenic supplementation because of its potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. In the present review, the potential use of quercetin as antioxidant aid against exerciseinduced oxidative stress and inflammation is discussed. The recent knowledge of the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role of dietary quercetin in exercise is also summarized.

Keywords: Quercetin, flavonoids, oxidative stress, physical activity, cytokines, antioxidant.

Graphical Abstract