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The Effect of Short-term Supplementation of OliPhenolia® on Fat Oxidation

The Effect of Short-term Supplementation of OliPhenolia® on Fat Oxidation in Recreationally Active Volunteers

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07210099
Enrollment
40
Registered
2025-10-07
Start date
2025-05-30
Completion date
2026-09-30
Last updated
2026-03-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

FatMax, Fat Oxidation, Polyphenols, Caffeine

Brief summary

There is current research interest in the use of fruit and plant-based food products containing high levels of natural antioxidants and their impact on exercise, which may be particularly beneficial for recreationally or low-active populations. One such product is an olive extract drink (called OliPhenolia®) produced by Fattoria La Vialla (an organic farm based in Northern Italy) and commercially available for the general public. Whilst previous research from the investigators (at Anglia Ruskin University) using this product has demonstrated potential antioxidant benefits and reduced oxygen cost during aerobic exercise, there are to date no studies investigating whether the short-term consumption of OliPhenolia® can benefit fat oxidation during exercise or whether such effects can be further enhanced employing a pre workout caffeinated beverage. Therefore the aim of this study is two-fold: i) to assess the impact of short-term supplementation (8 days) of OliPhenolia® relative to body mass on fat oxidation during aerobic cycling exercise in comparison to placebo in healthy recreationally active volunteers; and ii) whether potential benefits of OliPhenolia® on fat oxidation are enhanced with a pre-workout caffeinated beverage in comparison to placebo in healthy recreationally active volunteers.

Detailed description

This exploratory study will involve initial recruitment of approximately 30-40 healthy volunteers to undertake an initial study briefing pre-screening health questionnaire, informed written consent and familiarisation to exercise equipment, before returning to the human physiology laboratory at Anglia Ruskin University on a separate occasion (Visit 1) to undertake a standard exercise test for maximal fitness capacity. Following this, Visit 2 will see participants undertake a standard fat oxidation exercise test (aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer) to ascertain maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) with increasing exercise intensity, as well as a steady state exercise bout (30mins at FATmax). After this participants will begin a short-term (8 days) supplementation period of either OliPhenolia or Placebo before returning for a follow up fat oxidation assessment (Visit 3) as above. Fat oxidation will be assessed by standard respiratory measures (breath to breath for oxygen and carbon dioxide). On the follow up test (Visit 3), a pre-exercise workout drink will be provided containing either caffeine flavoured water or placebo. This is to assess whether fat oxidation can be enhanced from short-term polyphenol supplementation (OliPhenolia) with or without additional caffeine prior to exercise. Participants will therefore be randomised into 1 of 4 groups for this study (Placebo product for 8 days + placebo beverage at follow up; Oliphenolia for 8 days + placebo beverage at follow up; and OliPhenolia for 8 days plus caffeinated beverage at follow up; and placebo product for 8 days plus caffeinated beverage at follow up).

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTConcentrated olive fruit water

Supplementation of OliPhenolia twice daily for eight days. Dose equivalent to ≤1.0mg∙kg-1 of hydroxytyrosol.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

Placebo matched for taste and appearance consumed twice daily for eight days in the equivalent volume to the experimental product.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTAnhydrous caffeine

A single bolus of flavoured water (150mL) containing 6mg/kg anhydrous caffeine taken as a pre-exercise beverage

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo beverage

A single bolus of flavoured water (150mL) containing 6mg/kg microcrystalline cellulose

Sponsors

Anglia Ruskin University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

Supplements (product, placebo and product and product + caffeine) will be provided in a randomized, double-blinded manner. Both the participants and research testers will be masked from knowing the specifics of the supplement intervention.

Intervention model description

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the 2 main experimental groups in a double-blinded manner. Following completion of the first round of testing, those participants consuming OliPhenolia will return after a 1 week wash out period and repeat the process but taking placebo, and vice versa. Therefore all participants will have consumed either test product or placebo. For the pre-follow up test beverage, participants will be randomly assigned to either placebo or caffeine in block manner. This exploratory study will only involve a single cross over.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Men and women, UK based, above 21 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) \>18 and \<30 kg·m2 determined during baseline testing * Considered to be recreationally active i.e. approximately 150mins of general physical activity/ exercise per week (meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines); and a VO2peak (fitness) score \>20 and \<50 mL·kg-1·min-1 determined during baseline testing. * No known history (including family history) of heart abnormalities, hypertension, coronary heart disease or diabetes (determined from pre-study health screen questionnaire). * Not currently suffering from any musculoskeletal injury, or any other reason that may prevent participation in cardiovascular exercise. * Have not suffered from recent viral infections ie: influenza (defined within the prior 2 months). * Not taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medication which may influence exercise training (with the exception of inhalers for exercise induced asthma or contraceptive pill). * Not consuming or prepared to refrain from consumption, any commercial supplementation which conflicts with the study parameters ie: antioxidants. * No known allergy or intolerance to olives or prune/grape juice, or any known side effects from caffeine ingestion.

Exclusion criteria

* If any of the above criteria is not met.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximal fat oxidation (g/min)Pre and post main intervention (8 days)Assessment of total fat oxidation from stochiometrics (based on oxygen and carbon dioxide breath to breath measurements during exercise)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Expired oxygen (L/min)Pre and post main intervention (8 days)Assessment of oxygen cost based on expired air analysis during submaximal exercise

Countries

United Kingdom

Contacts

CONTACTJustin D Roberts, Professor
justin.roberts@aru.ac.uk07794122020
CONTACTJoseph B Lillis
JBL115@pgr.aru.ac.uk07713870153
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORJustin D Roberts, Professor

Anglia Ruskin University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 1, 2026