Excessive amounts of high-intensity exercise may impair immune function. Green tea contains various polyphenolic flavonoids and the beneficial health effects may be mediated by its potent anti-oxidative activity and immunomodulatory effects. In a randomized crossover design, 14 tchoukball players played for two competitive training matches which were separated by a 1-week resting period. Participants ingested placebo (PL) or green tea (GT) 1 h before the match. Blood samples were collected before consumption of beverages and immediately post-exercise. There was a significant increase in CD4+/CD8+ ratio, CD4+CD69+ cell and CD14+TLR2+ cell after game. Additionally, the percentage of CD56+ CD16+ cell significantly increased on GT, but not on PL. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in phagocytic capacity on GT. These major findings suggest that green tea ingestion not only elevated innate immune responses after intensive exercise but also compromised inflammation by decreasing the level of muscle damage.

Effects of green tea ingestion on the changes of immune responses after high-intensity exercise

244th National Meeting (2012)

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