Effects Of Resveratrol Supplementation On Endothelial Function In Resistance Trained Males

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Abstract

Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been investigated for potential cardiovascular (CV) benefits via improved endothelial function. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), the criterion non-invasive assessment of endothelial reactivity, is a reflection of vascular health. Despite benefits observed in at-risk populations, the effects of RES supplementation in resistance trained (RT) individuals remain unclear, as the antioxidant action of RES may blunt exercise-induced adaptations that depend on transient oxidative stress.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a novel cold-water dispersible RES supplement on endothelial function in RT males.

METHODS: Nineteen RT males (20.7±1.4 yrs, 26.9±3.8 kg/m2) completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants were randomized in a counter-balanced fashion to consume RES (500 mg·d−1) or placebo (PLA) for 14 days, separated by an 18-day washout. Brachial artery FMD assessments were completed at baseline and after each supplementation period. Outcome variables included changes in FMD percentage (FMD%), shear area-under-the-curve (AUC), and normalized FMD to shear AUC (FMD-AUC). Data were analyzed via repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was set at p< .05.

RESULTS: Supplementation did not significantly affect FMD% (p =.410). The observed differences across conditions (Baseline: 6.99 ± 1.67; PLA: 6.2±1.74; RES: 6.59 ± 1.87) represented a medium effect size (η2p =.062). No significant effects were observed for treatment order (p =.072), AUC (p =.380), or FMD-AUC (p =.142).

CONCLUSION: Fourteen days of RES supplementation did not alter endothelial function in RT males. Future studies should investigate longer interventions or alternative populations to further assess the potential cardiovascular benefits of RES.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: The physiological effects of resveratrol supplementation on endothelial function in resistance-trained individuals remain unclear, as antioxidant action may blunt exercise-induced adaptations that depend on transient oxidative stress.

  • The Method: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial evaluated 19 resistance-trained males (20.7±1.4 yrs, 26.9±3.8 kg/m²) receiving 500 mg·d⁻¹ of cold-water dispersible resveratrol or a placebo for 14 days, separated by an 18-day washout, with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation measured at baseline and post-supplementation using repeated measures ANOVA (p < .05).

  • Quantitative Finding: Resveratrol supplementation yielded no statistically significant difference in FMD percentage (p = .410) across baseline (6.99 \pm 1.67), placebo ($.2 \pm 1.74), and resveratrol conditions (6.59 \pm 1.87; \eta_p^2 = .062); no significant effects occurred for treatment order (p = .072), shear area-under-the-curve (p = .380), or normalized FMD to shear AUC (p = .142).

  • Finding: Fourteen days of daily 500 mg resveratrol supplementation does not alter endothelial function or vascular reactivity in resistance-trained males.

DOI

10.1249/01.mss.0001265556.71072.75

Publication Date

10-2026

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