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Synergistic Effects of Green Tea Extract and Ginger Supplementation on Endurance Performance and Thermal Perception in Normothermic and Cold Environments: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Trial.

  • 2025-09-13
  • Nutrients 17(18)
    • Abdullah Demirli
    • Süleyman Ulupınar
    • Merve Terzi
    • Serhat Özbay
    • Abdullah Bora Özkara
    • Cebrail Gençoğlu
    • Ibrahim Ouergui
    • Luca Paolo Ardigò

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
16 recreationally active males (age: 23.4 ± 0.4 years; VO2 max: 46.8 ± 2.8 mL/kg/min)
Methods
Randomized, double-blind crossover trial with eight conditions (placebo, green tea [500 mg], ginger [1000 mg], combined) in normothermic (21-24 °C) and cold (5-7 °C) environments. Participants completed a submaximal time-to-exhaustion test at 70% VO2 max on a cycle ergometer.
Blinding
Double-blind
Funding
Unclear
  • Rigorous Journal
Background/Objectives: This study assessed the individual and combined effects of green tea extract and ginger supplementation on endurance performance, metabolic responses, perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and muscle soreness in normothermic and cold environmental conditions. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind crossover trial, sixteen recreationally active males (age: 23.4 ± 0.4 years; VO2 max: 46.8 ± 2.8 mL/kg/min) were tested in eight conditions (placebo [maltodextrin], green tea [500 mg], ginger [1000 mg], combined), all in normothermic (21-24 °C) and cold (5-7 °C) environments. All supplements and the placebo were encapsulated in identical capsules to ensure blinding. Participants completed a submaximal time-to-exhaustion (TTE) test at 70% VO2 max on a cycle ergometer. TTE, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation (TSS), and muscle soreness via a visual analog scale (VAS), assessed 24 h post-exercise, were measured. Results: In normothermic condition, green tea and combined supplementation significantly increased TTE and reduced RER compared to the placebo (p < 0.05), and that combined supplementation lowered RPE relative to the placebo and ginger (all p < 0.05). In cold conditions, combined supplementation significantly enhanced TTE, reduced RER, and improved TSS compared to the placebo and ginger (p < 0.05), while all supplements decreased VAS relative to the placebo (p < 0.05). Ginger alone showed no significant effect on TTE or RER but improved TSS and VAS in cold compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). Cold placebo conditions exhibited significantly higher RPE and VAS than all normothermic conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Green tea enhances endurance and fat oxidation in normothermic conditions, while its combination with ginger can optimize performance, thermal comfort, and recovery in cold environments. These findings suggest a practical nutritional strategy for mitigating environmental stress during exercise, specific to the acute supplementation in males. Trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT07150533).

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