Antioxidant-rich foods, antioxidant supplements, and sarcopenia in old-young adults ≥55 years old: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

Study answer

What this study found

Observationally, higher intake of antioxidant-rich foods or patterns (A-RF) is associated with better sarcopenia outcomes (muscle mass, strength, and physical function). In RCTs, regimens including magnesium supplementation (900 mg/day), vitamin E with vitamin D and protein, and increased fruit/vegetable consumption (to 5 servings/day) significantly improved performance measures such as handgrip strength and time to complete five chair stands (about 1.0 kg handgrip increase; ~1.1 s faster on five stands). Tea catechins also improved handgrip strength. Overall, antioxidant-rich foods or…

Study & population

Systematic review of observational studies (n=19; cross-sectional and cohort) and randomized controlled trials (n=9).

Intervention

Resveratrol 500 mg/day with resistance training; 12 weeks.

Key limitation

Heterogeneity in antioxidants, doses, durations, and sarcopenia outcome measures; observational studies cannot establish causality; several RCTs had risk of bias and some included concurrent exercise or overall diet confounding attribution to antioxidants alone; mixed interventions and multiple countries limit…

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Original abstract