Nutrients, Medicinal plants, Athletes, Secondary metabolites

Subject Areas : Traditional medicine

Parisa Hashemi Shahraki ¹ , Shahla Hashemi Shahraki ^{2 *}

1 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Payam-e Noor University, Shahrekord, Iran
2 - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Received: 2025-08-26 Accepted : 2025-10-06 Published : 2025-10-16

Keywords: Nutrients, Medicinal plants, Athletes, Bioactive compounds,

Abstract :

In recent years, medicinal and aromatic plants have attracted considerable attention in the field of sports nutrition due to their diverse phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics. These compounds can reduce oxidative stress induced by intense exercise, accelerate recovery, and enhance athletic performance through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the quantity and quality of these phytochemicals in medicinal plants are highly dependent on ecological and nutritional conditions. Factors such as soil type, light intensity, irrigation levels, and mineral nutrient availability during plant growth play a crucial role in the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites. The growing preference for natural sources and herbal supplements in recent years is largely attributed to their ability to mitigate oxidative stress, strengthen the immune system, and expedite recovery following intense physical activity. The present review investigates the relationship among mineral nutrition of medicinal plants, ecological factors influencing the quality of secondary metabolites, and the physiological effects of these plants on athletes. Existing evidence indicates that agronomic conditions including soil type, light intensity, irrigation regime, and nutrient availability significantly influence the synthesis and accumulation patterns of secondary metabolites. For instance, nitrogen and sulfur play pivotal roles in the production of alkaloids and sulfur-containing compounds, whereas nitrogen deficiency often enhances the synthesis of phenolics and flavonoids. These variations not only affect the medicinal quality of the plants but, when used strategically, can also improve antioxidant capacity, reduce muscle inflammation, increase endurance, and enhance aerobic performance in athletes. Notably, plants such as grape and pomegranate have gained special recognition in sports nutrition due to their potent antioxidant compounds and beneficial metabolic effects. Ultimately, the findings suggest that optimal agronomic and nutritional management, combined with the targeted use of herbal supplements, can serve as a safe and effective strategy to promote athlete health and enhance physical performance

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