Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review
Introduction: Dietary supplements have become a popular aid for improving training performance. Pre-workout supplements contain a mixture of ingredients used to boost physical performance, with some components having been associated with the promotion of cardiovascular health. However, there is insu...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/4/112 |
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| author | Yanesko Fernandes Bella Samantha Rodrigues Silva Cupido Pedro Augusto Querido Inacio Marcelo Luiz Peixoto Sobral Rodolfo P. Vieira |
| author_facet | Yanesko Fernandes Bella Samantha Rodrigues Silva Cupido Pedro Augusto Querido Inacio Marcelo Luiz Peixoto Sobral Rodolfo P. Vieira |
| author_sort | Yanesko Fernandes Bella |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Dietary supplements have become a popular aid for improving training performance. Pre-workout supplements contain a mixture of ingredients used to boost physical performance, with some components having been associated with the promotion of cardiovascular health. However, there is insufficient scientific literature on the effects of pre-workout supplements, and the studies often have conflicting results. Objective: The aim of this review was to analyze the impact of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements on cardiovascular health, in order to identify the main adverse effects and the roles of the most common substances in these supplements. Methodology: A systematic search was carried out in the Web of Science and PubMed databases by three independent researchers between January 2010 and August 2024. The inclusion criteria were available articles published in English. Articles that did not evaluate cardiovascular outcomes and the use of pre-workout supplements were excluded. Results: The 24 studies analyzed demonstrated an overall increase in supplement intake. Pre-workout supplements were associated with improved physical performance and possible cardiovascular changes, with these effects being classified as adverse or cardioprotective. This discrepancy in the results may be due to the different dosages and populations investigated (including active and non-active participants, and healthy participants or those with a history of cardiovascular diseases), as well as other factors that correlate with deleterious cardiac conditions. Conclusions: Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements may offer physical and cardiovascular benefits, including increased energy, focus, endurance, and strength during exercise, as well as having potential positive impacts on blood pressure and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and homocysteine levels. However, due to the conflicting results of the analyzed studies, additional studies are necessary to fill in the knowledge gaps and establish clearer guidelines for the safe and effective use of these supplements. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54d4dd3ff15245f8b03e415b3f558520 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2308-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease |
| spelling | doaj-art-54d4dd3ff15245f8b03e415b3f5585202025-08-20T02:28:29ZengMDPI AGJournal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease2308-34252025-03-0112411210.3390/jcdd12040112Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative ReviewYanesko Fernandes Bella0Samantha Rodrigues Silva Cupido1Pedro Augusto Querido Inacio2Marcelo Luiz Peixoto Sobral3Rodolfo P. Vieira4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University Center of the Americas (FAM), São Paulo 01304-001, SP, BrazilDepartment of Medicine, School of Medicine, University Center of the Americas (FAM), São Paulo 01304-001, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Pulmonary and Exercise Immunology (LABPEI), Evangelical University of Goias (Unievangelica), Anápolis 75083-515, GO, BrazilDepartment of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-220, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Pulmonary and Exercise Immunology (LABPEI), Evangelical University of Goias (Unievangelica), Anápolis 75083-515, GO, BrazilIntroduction: Dietary supplements have become a popular aid for improving training performance. Pre-workout supplements contain a mixture of ingredients used to boost physical performance, with some components having been associated with the promotion of cardiovascular health. However, there is insufficient scientific literature on the effects of pre-workout supplements, and the studies often have conflicting results. Objective: The aim of this review was to analyze the impact of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements on cardiovascular health, in order to identify the main adverse effects and the roles of the most common substances in these supplements. Methodology: A systematic search was carried out in the Web of Science and PubMed databases by three independent researchers between January 2010 and August 2024. The inclusion criteria were available articles published in English. Articles that did not evaluate cardiovascular outcomes and the use of pre-workout supplements were excluded. Results: The 24 studies analyzed demonstrated an overall increase in supplement intake. Pre-workout supplements were associated with improved physical performance and possible cardiovascular changes, with these effects being classified as adverse or cardioprotective. This discrepancy in the results may be due to the different dosages and populations investigated (including active and non-active participants, and healthy participants or those with a history of cardiovascular diseases), as well as other factors that correlate with deleterious cardiac conditions. Conclusions: Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements may offer physical and cardiovascular benefits, including increased energy, focus, endurance, and strength during exercise, as well as having potential positive impacts on blood pressure and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and homocysteine levels. However, due to the conflicting results of the analyzed studies, additional studies are necessary to fill in the knowledge gaps and establish clearer guidelines for the safe and effective use of these supplements.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/4/112heart disease risk factorsdietary supplementsperformance-enhancing substancesillicit drugs |
| spellingShingle | Yanesko Fernandes Bella Samantha Rodrigues Silva Cupido Pedro Augusto Querido Inacio Marcelo Luiz Peixoto Sobral Rodolfo P. Vieira Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease heart disease risk factors dietary supplements performance-enhancing substances illicit drugs |
| title | Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review |
| title_full | Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review |
| title_short | Pre-Workout Supplements and Their Effects on Cardiovascular Health: An Integrative Review |
| title_sort | pre workout supplements and their effects on cardiovascular health an integrative review |
| topic | heart disease risk factors dietary supplements performance-enhancing substances illicit drugs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/12/4/112 |
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