Transient endothelial dysfunction induced by sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may be attenuated by a single bout of aerobic exercise.

Background: This study assessed whether aerobic exercise would attenuate microvascular endothelial dysfunction induced by commercial sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption.

Methods: Eleven healthy males participated in this randomized, single-blind crossover study. Cutaneous microvascular endothelial function was assessed using laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with post-occlusive reactive hyperemia before and after a) consumption of water; b) consumption of a commercial SSB; c) 30min of aerobic exercise followed by water consumption; and d) 30 minutes of aerobic exercise followed by SSB consumption. Blood glucose and arterial pressure responses were also monitored. Volumes of water and SSB consumed (637.39±29.15 mL) were individualized for each participant, ensuring SSB consumption delivered 1 g of sucrose per kg of body weight. Exercise was performed at 75% of the maximal oxygen uptake heart rate.

Results: Compared to water consumption, the commercial SSB elevated blood glucose concentrations in both sedentary (4.69±0.11 vs. 7.47±0.28 mmol/L, P<0.05) and exercised states (4.95±0.13 vs. 7.93±0.15 mmol/L, P<0.05). However, the decrease in microvascular endothelial function observed following sedentary SSB consumption, expressed as the percentage increase from baseline (208.60±22.40 vs. 179.83±15.80%, P=0.01) and the change in peak hyperemic blood flux from basal to post-intervention assessments (-0.04±0.03 vs. -0.12±0.02 ΔCVC, P=0.01), was attenuated following 30min of aerobic exercise.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that a single bout of aerobic exercise may prevent transient SSB-mediated microvascular endothelial dysfunction.