Supplementation With Quercetin May Help Improve Muscle Stiffness

As we age, our bones, joints, and muscles tend to become weaker. This can require increased effort to perform exercise and daily tasks and increase feelings of stiffness. A new study has found that supplementation with quercetin glycoside combined with low-intensity resistance exercise may help improve muscle stiffness in mature adults.

Participants in the study included 48 adults between the ages of 50 and 74. They received 200 mg of quercetin glycoside, 500 mg of quercetin glycoside, or a placebo daily for 24 weeks. All participants performed low-intensity resistance exercise 3 days per week.

The researchers measured thickness of the thigh muscle, lean mass, and stiffness of the quadricep at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in the quercetin group saw significant reductions in stiffness of the quadricep during stretching compared to the placebo group. No changes were seen in thickness of the thigh muscle or lean mass.

The study was conducted by researchers from Juntendo University. It was published online ahead of print July 6, 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

A previous study found that curcumin and Boswellia serrata may help reduce exercise-induced muscle discomfort.