Anna Przybylska

Background: It is important to note that motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) has especially calming properties, partly due to its chlorogenic acid (CLA) content. While the concentration of this acid in alcoholic or water–alcoholic extracts has been determined in the literature, there is no knowledge about the content of CLA in water extracts. Therefore, the aim of this study was primarily to assess the CLA content in infusions prepared in four different ways and to estimate the actual CLA intake with these infusions. An additionally aim was to assess the content of phenols and their antioxidant properties. Methods: A capillary electrophoresis device equipped with a DAD detector was used to determine CLA in dried motherwort herb, and the DPPH test and the Folin–Ciocâlteu method were used to determine antioxidant properties. Results: The median CLA content in the infusions was 527.26 µg/100 mL. In turn, the total phenol content per glass was 32.88 mg. The mean median DPPH test expressed as Trolox equivalent was 33.65 mg/L TE. Conclusions: The method of preparing infusions affects the content of CLA and phenols in water infusions. However, these changes did not significantly affect the antioxidant properties of the prepared extracts.

This study aimed to examine the nutrient intake in Polish middle-distance runners. The secondary objective was to examine the biochemical profile and antioxidant status in the blood serum of the runners, and then compare to the control group. The research was conducted among 44 volunteers. Information regarding participants’ diet was gathered for three days before the study took place. Also, blood serum of athletes and control subjects was examined to obtain information about their antioxidant status, biochemical parameters, and micro- and macronutrients. This study showed that runners consumed more protein, sodium, zinc, phosphorus, water, vitamin A and E than the control group. The daily intake of selected vitamins, micro- and macronutrients in a group of athletes is approximately two times higher than in the control group. The control group consumed more polyphenols compared to the runners group (p < 0.05). The consumption of phenols was almost two times lower among runners compared to non-runners. The higher uric acid concentration (p = 0.025) and lower chloride concentration (p = 0.011) were observed in the blood serum of runners compared to the control group. The diet of middle-distance runners is well-balanced but need some modifications, especially regarding the intake of vitamin E, folates and polyphenols.