Effects of protein–carbohydrate vs. carbohydrate alone supplementation on immune inflammation markers in endurance athletes: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

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The impact of ingesting carbohydrates alone or combined with proteins to support exercise immune adaptation in endurance athletes is scarcely investigated. The present study compares the effect of ingesting a combined protein-carbohydrate supplement vs. a carbohydrate-only supplement post-workout on immune inflammation markers following a 10-week periodized endurance training program in well-trained athletes. Conclusion: Ingesting a post-workout protein-carbohydrate combined beverage promoted a more favourable immune status than carbohydrate-only ingestion by attenuating cellular infammation over a 10-week training period in endurance male athletes.