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. 2024 Feb 14;14(1):3700.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-54198-3.

Effect of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers

Mahsa Zare  1 , Niloofar Shoaei  2 , Jahangir Karimian  3 , Mehran Nouri  4   5 , Sahar Zare  6 , Kimia Leilami  7 , Zainab Shateri  8 , Parvin Sarbakhsh  9 , Mohammad Hasan Eftekhari  10 , Bahram Pourghassem Gargari  11
Affiliations

Effect of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers

Mahsa Zare et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in modulating oxidative status. There is an increasing popularity of plant-based dietary patterns among athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the plant-based diet index (PDI) score among male footballers and their non-athlete controls, as well as its relationship with oxidative biomarkers by evaluating the urinary excretion of F2alpha-isoprostane (F2a-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). A group of footballers (n = 45) and a healthy non-athlete group (n = 45) were selected. The two groups were matched based on body mass index (BMI) and age. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the subjects was 22.88 (2.41) years, and their BMI was 22.08 (1.35) kg/m2. Anthropometric indices were evaluated, and fasting morning urine samples were analyzed to measure oxidative biomarkers. The PDI, unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI), and healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI) were calculated using valid food frequency questionnaire data. Generalized estimating equation models were used for all analyses. Compared to the non-athlete group, the PDI score was significantly greater in the footballer group (β = 9.8; P < 0.001), while the differences between the two groups in uPDI and hPDI scores were not significant. Overall, footballers consumed more plant-based foods. By examining the relationship between dietary indices and oxidative biomarkers, only a negative association was observed between PDI score and F2a-IP level (β = -1.25; P = 0.03). Based on the results, footballers were more adherent to a plant-based diet than non-athletes. In addition, it seems that following plant-based diets (the higher PDI) may exert beneficial effects on lowering F2a-IP levels due to improving the body's antioxidant status.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the participants' recruitment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean concentrations of urinary 8-OHdG (ng/mg creatinine) in the footballer and non-athlete groups. 8-OHdG 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. P-value < 0.001. P-value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean concentrations of urinary F2a-IP (pg/mg creatinine) in the footballer and non-athlete groups. F2a-IP F2alpha-isoprostane. P-value < 0.001. P-value < 0.05 considered as statistically significant.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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