PhD defence Iris Cuijpers

Keywords: Bioactive substances, Vitality, Muscle recovery, Muscle health

"Food for Strength: Nutritional Bioactives to Enhance Vitality and Skeletal Muscle Regeneration"

Skeletal muscles play an important role in movement, the regulation of blood glucose levels, metabolism, and overall physical fitness. However, muscle mass and muscle strength gradually decline with increasing age. An important cause of this decline is a reduced capacity of muscles to recover from exercise or injury.

This thesis investigated whether bioactive compounds (health-promoting substances from plant-based foods) can limit skeletal muscle aging. The effects of supplementation on physical fitness and quality of life were examined in middle-aged adults, as well as muscle recovery at the cellular level. Laboratory experiments show that compounds derived from oranges can stimulate muscle cell development. In addition, bioactive compounds from, among others, onions, apples, green leafy vegetables, and red pepper appear to inhibit processes that can contribute to skeletal muscle stiffening. Human studies, however, show only limited effects of bioactive compounds on physical fitness and quality of life.

Future research should focus on underlying mechanisms, bioavailability, and optimal dosage and timing to better utilize the potential of bioactive compounds for muscle health.

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