Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40863778›Full record

ReviewSports (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Juice-Based Supplementation Strategies for Athletic Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review.

Biljana Vitošević, Milica Filipović, Ljiljana Popović, Katarzyna Sterkowicz-Przybycień, Tijana Purenović-Ivanović

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Biljana VitoševićFaculty of Sport and Physical Education in Leposavić, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Dositeja Obradovića bb, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0003-1234-1358
Milica FilipovićFaculty of Sport and Physical Education in Leposavić, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Dositeja Obradovića bb, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0001-8839-8110
Ljiljana PopovićFaculty of Medicine, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Anri Didana bb, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0003-1165-9022
Katarzyna Sterkowicz-PrzybycieńDepartment of Gymnastics and Dance, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Physical Culture in Krakow, 31-571 Krakow, Poland.ORCID 0000-0001-8107-0374
Tijana Purenović-IvanovićFaculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, 18101 Niš, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0003-3537-3168

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The application of natural juices in sports nutrition is attracting growing interest due to their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and ergogenic properties. Exercise, especially when prolonged or intense, increases oxidative stress and muscle damage, leading athletes to explore dietary strategies that support recovery and enhance performance. This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of five widely studied juices-beetroot, pomegranate, cherry, watermelon, and pickle juice-in the context of athletic supplementation and recovery. A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify studies published between 2010 and 2025. Fifty peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria, examining various physiological, biochemical, and performance-related outcomes linked to juice consumption. Given the methodological diversity among studies, a qualitative synthesis was employed. The juices were compared across four key outcomes-inflammation, oxidative stress, delayed onset of muscle soreness, and exercise performance-to determine their most consistent benefits. Beetroot juice, noted for its high nitrate content, consistently enhanced oxygen efficiency and submaximal endurance, although benefits in elite or sprint athletes were less evident. Both pomegranate and cherry juices were effective in reducing muscle soreness and inflammatory markers, particularly when consumed over several days surrounding exercise. Watermelon juice, primarily through its L-citrulline content, offered antioxidant and recovery support, although performance outcomes varied. Evidence for pickle juice was limited, with no notable ergogenic effects beyond anecdotal cramp relief. Overall, natural juices can support recovery and occasionally improve performance, depending on the specific juice, dosage, and athlete characteristics. Beetroot juice stands out as the most reliable in enhancing performance, while pomegranate and cherry juices are more beneficial for recovery. Future research with standardized protocols is essential to determine optimal application across diverse athletic contexts.

Indexed as

athletesergogenic aidexercisejuicenutrition

Identifiers

PMID40863778
PMCPMC12389966

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.