Human and animal studies have shown that Hesperidin has the ability to modulate antioxidant and inflammatory state and to improve aerobic performance. The main objective of this study was to assess whether the acute intake of 500 mg of 2S-Hesperidin (Cardiose^®) improves antioxidant status, metabolism, and athletic performance, during and after a rectangular test (aerobic and anaerobic effort). For this, a crossover design was used in 15 cyclists (>1 year of training), with one week of washout between placebo and Cardiose^® supplementation. After the intervention, significant differences in average power (+2.27%, p = 0.023), maximum speed (+3.23%, p = 0.043) and total energy (∑ 4 sprint test) (+2.64%, p = 0.028) between Cardiose^® and placebo were found in the best data of the repeated sprint test. Small changes were also observed in the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione concentration and oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio, as well as the lipoperoxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), at different points of the rectangular test, although not significant. Our findings showed improvements in anaerobic performance after Cardiose^® intake, but not in placebo, suggesting the potential benefits of using Cardiose^® in sports with a high anaerobic component.

Both acute and chronic ingestion of 2S-hesperidin have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies, but so far, no one has studied this effect of chronic ingestion in humans. The main objective was to evaluate whether an 8-week intake of 2S-hesperidin had the ability to modulate antioxidant-oxidant and inflammatory status in amateur cyclists. A parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study was carried out with two groups (500 mg/d 2S-hesperidin; n = 20 and 500 mg/d placebo; n = 20). An incremental test was performed to determine the working zones in a rectangular test, which was used to analyze for changes in antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers. After 2S-hesperidin ingestion, we found in the rectangular test: (1) an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) after the exercise phase until exhaustion (p = 0.045) and the acute recovery phase (p = 0.004), (2) a decrease in the area under the oxidized glutathione curve (GSSG) (p = 0.016), and (3) a decrease in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) after the acute recovery phase (p = 0.004), post-intervention. Chronic 2S-hesperidin supplementation increased endogenous antioxidant capacity (↑SOD) after maximal effort and decreased oxidative stress (↓AUC-GSSG) during the rectangular test, decreasing inflammation (↓MCP1) after the acute recovery phase.

2S-Hesperidin is a flavanone (flavonoid) found in high concentrations in citrus fruits. It has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improving performance in animals. This study investigated the effects of chronic intake of an orange extract (2S-hesperidin) or placebo on non-oxidative/glycolytic and oxidative metabolism markers and performance markers in amateur cyclists. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out between late September and December 2018. Forty amateur cyclists were randomized into two groups: one taking 500 mg/day 2S-hesperidin and the other taking 500 mg/day placebo (microcellulose) for eight weeks. All participants completed the study. An incremental test was used to evaluate performance, and a step test was used to measure oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide, efficiency and oxidation of carbohydrates and fat by indirect calorimetry. The anaerobic power (non-oxidative) was determined using Wingate tests (30 s). After eight weeks supplementation, there was an increase in the incremental test in estimated functional threshold power (FTP) (3.2%; p ≤ 0.05) and maximum power (2.7%; p ≤ 0.05) with 2S-hesperdin compared to placebo. In the step test, there was a decrease in VO₂ (L/min) (−8.3%; p ≤ 0.01) and VO₂R (mL/kg/min) (−8.9%; p ≤ 0.01) at VT2 in placebo. However, there were no differences between groups. In the Wingate test, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in peak and relative power in both groups, but without differences between groups. Supplementation with an orange extract (2S-hesperdin) 500 mg/day improves estimated FTP and maximum power performance in amateur cyclists.

2S-Hesperidin is the main flavonoid of orange (Citrus sinensis). Previous researches have pointed its effects in muscle development and fat accumulation reduction, although most of these results have not been assessed in humans. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of chronic (8-weeks) intake of 2S-hesperidin on amateur cyclists’ body composition. A double-blind, parallel and randomized trial, was carried out with 40 amateur cyclists that were divided in two groups, one taking 2S-hesperidin (500 mg d⁻¹, n = 20) and another taking placebo (500 mg d⁻¹ microcellulose, n = 20) for 8 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric measurements were used to assess the effect of both treatments on body composition. In addition, the resting metabolic rate was measured. In comparison to placebo, DXA analysis showed a decrease in percentage body fat (%BF) (−10.4%; p = 0.035) and lower limb fat mass (−10.5%; p = 0.029) in favour of 2S-hesperidin. After evaluation of anthropometric data, a decrease in %BF (−3.7%; p = 0.006), total body fat (−3.0%; p = 0.047), ∑ of 8 skinfolds (−6.1%; p = 0.008) was observed in 2S-hesperidin group, but not in placebo. Additionally, there was an increase in muscle mass percentage (1.0%; p = <0.001) and total muscle mass (1.7%; p = 0.011) after ingestion of 2S-hesperidin, with no changes in placebo. Chronic intake of 2S-hesperidin decreased fat mass in amateur cyclists, evaluated through different body composition measurement methodologies (DXA and anthropometry). In addition, 2S-hesperidin supplementation showed a promoting effect on muscle development.