Effects of integrating Maltodextrin and Fructose blends on inflammation and post-exercise recovery.

Discover the new study by the Equipe Enervit

by Equipe Enervit

When we engage in sports, especially during intense or prolonged activities, our body initiates well-known inflammatory processes. These processes are essential for repairing muscles and tissues stressed by exercise, thereby aiding in recovery and physical adaptation. However, if the physical activity is particularly intense or occurs frequently, inflammation can become excessive. This may delay recovery and increase the risk of injuries and conditions related to "overtraining."
When these states persist over time, they can also weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses. It is therefore crucial to identify effective strategies to modulate and manage such inflammatory responses.
Numerous studies in the past have suggested that nutrition may play a key role in these processes. Targeted supplementation with an adequate intake of specific carbohydrate blends has been shown to help reduce inflammation and support faster and more effective recovery.
We must also consider that modern diets tend to be high in foods containing large amounts of omega-6 (found, for instance, in vegetable oils), which are precursors of pro-inflammatory molecules. On the other hand, the intake of omega-3, fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties primarily found in cold-water fish, is reduced.
An imbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 has also been observed in athletes, making them more prone to elevated post-exercise inflammatory responses.

The Equipe Enervit decided to conduct research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of what happens to an athlete's metabolism during and after intense physical exertion. To this end, a study was carried out involving a group of runners to analyse the impact of a carbohydrate blend, maltodextrin and fructose in a 2:1 ratio, on post-exercise inflammation. The findings were very promising and offer new insights into the role of nutrition in sports.

The study

The study included 29 runners, 4 women and 25 men, who participated in two 15-kilometer flat course runs. A randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study design was employed, using a placebo—a substance without active ingredients—as a comparison to assess the real effects of the treatment.
Initially, participants underwent a VO2max test to determine their maximum aerobic speed. They were then randomly assigned to receive either the carbohydrate blend or the placebo during a 15-kilometer road run. The following week, they repeated the 15-kilometer run at the same intensity, but with the opposite supplementation; those who had received carbohydrates took the placebo and vice versa.
Carbohydrate supplementation began immediately before the activity and continued for two hours afterward, with a dosage of 80 grams per hour of exercise. To assess the effects of this supplementation, various biological parameters were monitored through blood samples taken before, immediately after, and up to 24 hours following the exercise.

In addition to blood glucose levels, several inflammation-related indicators were assessed:

• IL-6 (Interleukin-6): a cytokine, or signaling protein, crucial in the inflammatory response. High levels of IL-6 may indicate acute inflammation.
• White blood cells: immune cells that fight infections. Their levels typically rise after intense physical activity as a direct result of the inflammatory response.
• hs-CRP (High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein): a biomarker that increases in response to inflammation and is used to evaluate the risk of inflammatory diseases.
• Cortisolo: a hormone whose production spikes in conditions of severe physical or psychological stress, such as intense or prolonged exercise.
• CK (Creatine-Kinase): an enzyme released into the blood when muscle cells are damaged, providing useful information about the level of stress experienced by the muscular system.

Results

Out of the 29 participants, 26 completed the study. During both sessions, the athletes ran the 15 kilometers in an average time of 57 minutes and 40 seconds, with comparable lactate levels. The results of the maltodextrin and fructose supplementation showed significant and promising effects, particularly in terms of reducing inflammation.
Athletes who consumed the maltodextrin and fructose blend in a 2:1 ratio showed a 10% reduction in white blood cells three hours after exercise, indicating a decrease in inflammation. Additionally, cortisol levels were reduced by over 80%, suggesting a positive effect on fatigue. Immediately after exercise, IL-6 levels were 20% lower in the supplemented group compared to those who received the placebo.
It is important to highlight that the supplementation of 80 grams of carbohydrates per hour yielded significant results, whereas previous studies with lower intakes (40 grams or less per hour) did not consistently show similar benefits.
Another interesting finding was related to the lipid profile: in all cases, both omega-3 and omega-6 levels increased in the hours following exercise. However, in the group that consumed the carbohydrate blend, the increase in omega-3 levels—particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid with potent anti-inflammatory properties—was more pronounced. Conversely, levels of AA (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid associated with inflammation, decreased by about 5% within 24 hours of carbohydrate intake. This shift improved the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, which is crucial for modulating inflammation.

The Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio and muscle damage

Another significant finding from the study was the crucial role of the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio (measured as the AA/EPA index) in preventing muscle damage. If athletes had an AA/EPA ratio greater than 30 before the run, their creatine kinase (CK) levels—an indicator of muscle damage—increased significantly within the following 24 hours. In contrast, when the AA/EPA ratio was below 30, no significant changes in CK levels were observed post-exercise.
This suggests that, in addition to carbohydrate supplementation during physical activity, an adequate balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids before exercise may positively influence muscle recovery.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that consuming a maltodextrin and fructose blend in a 2:1 ratio, at a dosage of 80 grams per hour of activity, can significantly reduce post-exercise inflammation. Levels of IL-6, white blood cells, and cortisol decreased more rapidly compared to the placebo group, and there was also an improvement in the lipid profile, with an increase in omega-3 and a reduction in omega-6 levels in the blood.
These findings suggest that adequate carbohydrate supplementation can support post-workout recovery by reducing inflammation and improving the balance of fats in the bloodstream, with potential benefits for both well-being and athletic performance.

Read the study

Righetti, S.; Medoro, A.; Graziano, F.; Mondazzi, L.; Martegani, S.; Chiappero, F.; Casiraghi, E.; Petroni, P.; Corbi, G.; Pina, R.; et al. Effects of Maltodextrin–Fructose Supplementation on Inflammatory Biomarkers and Lipidomic Profile Following Endurance Running: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Trial.  
Nutrients 2024, 16, 3078.