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Recovery NutritionEvidence & Dosage

Protein Timing, Glycogen Resynthesis, and Anti-Inflammatory.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
474
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
144
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1992–2026

Recovery Nutrition in the context of Performance

This topic is part of our "Performance" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on Recovery Nutrition

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Post-Exercise Inflammation, Muscle Damage, Oxidative Response, and Sports Performance in Physically Healthy Adults-A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

    Nutrients2024n=13systematic175 influential citations

    Omega-3 is a family of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which have been used to treat a wide variety of chronic diseases, due mainly to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. In this context, omega-3…

  2. Pre-rehabilitation interventions for patients with head and neck cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Head Neck2024n=31Meta-Analysis95 influential citations

    <h4>Objective</h4>To investigate the effect of pre-rehabilitation interventions such as nutrition and exercise for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).<h4>Methods</h4>Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane…

  3. Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Health, Sports Performance, and Recovery for Female Athletes and Other Physically Active Women: A Systematic Review.

    Nutr Rev2025n=165Systematic Review94 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Despite the progress toward gender equality in events like the Olympic Games and other institutionalized competitions, and the rising number of women engaging in physical exercise programs, scientific studies focused on…

  4. Effects of dietary supplements on athletic performance in elite soccer players: a systematic review.

    J Int Soc Sports Nutr2023n=18systematic80 influential citations

    Dietary supplements are widely used among athletes, and soccer players are no exception. Nevertheless, evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements aiming to enhance performance in soccer is somewhat contradictory, scarce, or even…

  5. Preoperative nutrition therapy in people undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2024n=16Meta-Analysis69 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Poor preoperative nutritional status has been consistently linked to an increase in postoperative complications and worse surgical outcomes. We updated a review first published in 2012.<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess the…

  6. Prognostic potential of nutritional risk screening and assessment tools in predicting survival of patients with pancreatic neoplasms: a systematic review.

    Nutr J2024n=6,060Meta-Analysis55 influential citations

    <h4>Backgrounds & aims</h4>The nutritional evaluation of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients lacks a gold standard or scientific consensus, we aimed to summarize and systematically evaluate the prognostic value of nutritional screening and…

  7. Benefits of Creatine Supplementation for Vegetarians Compared to Omnivorous Athletes: A Systematic Review.

    Int J Environ Res Public Health2020Systematic Review40 influential citations

    **BACKGROUND**: Creatine monohydrate is a nutritional supplement often consumed by athletes in anaerobic sports. Creatine is naturally found in most meat products; therefore, vegetarians have reduced creatine stores and may benefit from…

  8. Impact of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements on mitochondria modifications in healthy aging: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

    Aging Clin Exp Res2022n=201Systematic Review39 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>To date, the mitochondrial function has been related to several pathways involved in the cellular aging process. Dietary supplements might have reciprocal and multilevel interactions with mitochondria network; however,…

  9. The Effect of Nitrate-Rich Beetroot Juice on Markers of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Intervention Trials.

    J Diet Suppl2022Meta-Analysis38 influential citations

    This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials examined whether dietary nitrate supplementation attenuates exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and is reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. Medline and…

  10. Frailty as an Effect Modifier in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review.

    J Gen Intern Med2024n=61Systematic Review35 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>The effect of clinical interventions may vary by patients' frailty status. Understanding treatment effect heterogeneity by frailty could lead to frailty-guided treatment strategies and reduce overtreatment and…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) (Low carbohydrate content <50 g/day; 1-1.5 g protein/kg ideal body weight; 15-30 g fat/day; about 500-800 calories/day) • Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (EPA/DHA; one study used ALA) (250 mg/day to 6 g/day EPA/DHA; one study up to 31 g/day ALA (0.43 g ALA/kg body mass)) • Pre-rehabilitation interventions including nutrition, exercise, psychoeducation, and combined exercise with nutrition (Not reported)
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Most studies investigated: unknown.
Are there safety considerations for Recovery Nutrition?
• Most side effects were clinically mild. • Side effects were easily managed. • Recovery from side effects was often spontaneous. • VLCKD should be used under health professional supervision.

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Recovery Nutrition: Effects & Evidence (what’s actually supported)

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