title: Polyphenols and Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polyphenols exert physiological effects that may impact athletic performance. Polyphenols are antioxidants that have been noted to hinder training adaptations, yet conversely they stimulate stress-related cell signalling pathways that trigger mitochondrial biogenesis and influence vascular function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the overall effect of polyphenols on human athletic performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search strategy was completed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and SPORTDiscus in April 2016. The studies were screened and independently reviewed by two researchers against predetermined criteria for eligibility. As a result of this screening, 14 studies were included for meta-analysis. Of these, the studied populations were predominately-trained males with an average intervention dose of 688 ± 478 mg·day-1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pooled results demonstrate polyphenol supplementation for at least 7 days increases performance by 1.90% (95% CI 0.40-3.39). Sub-analysis of seven studies using quercetin identified a performance increase of 2.82% (95% CI 2.05-3.58). There were no adverse effects reported in the studies in relation to the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall the pooled results show that polyphenols, and of note quercetin, are viable supplements to improve performance in healthy individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. vsom721@aucklanduni.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Vaughan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1980-4135
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Somerville
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bringans
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braakhuis
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D059808:Polyphenols; D011794:Quercetin