Anserine, Balenine, and Ergothioneine: Impact of Histidine-Containing Compounds on Exercise Performance-A Narrative Review.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing mechanistic, animal, and preliminary human literature without systematic review methodology
PubMed 40077698 · doi:10.3390/nu17050828
What was done
Narrative review examining published animal and human literature on the effects of dietary supplementation with histidine-containing compounds (anserine, balenine, and ergothioneine) on exercise capacity, physical performance, fatigue, and recovery.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data or effect sizes. Qualitatively, anserine was reported to potentially improve physical performance and reduce fatigue in quick, repetitive activities. Balenine showed benefits for muscle regeneration and antioxidant defense in animal models. Ergothioneine exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in animal and human studies. The authors conclude that existing study limitations and heterogeneity prevent confirming clear ergogenic properties.
Why it matters
It highlights emerging histidine derivatives beyond carnosine as potential nutritional candidates for athletic performance and recovery, while noting the current gap between mechanistic potential and conclusive evidence.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search, risk-of-bias assessment, or quantitative pooling. The abstract mentions substantial study heterogeneity, heavy reliance on animal models (especially for balenine), and provides no human sample sizes, dosage details, or quantitative outcomes.
Cited by
- supports Carnosine is a dipeptide of beta-alanine and histidine that is not found in plants.