Xanthophylls have been attracting attention as phytochemicals with antioxidant activity and various beneficial effects demonstrated by randomized clinical trials. Ripe red paprika has high xanthophyll content and is a valuable source of dietary xanthophylls. Our previous study revealed that paprika xanthophylls were detected in the plasma of healthy volunteers after oral administration and preferentially accumulated in erythrocytes, suggesting a potential beneficial effect on erythrocytes. The

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... resent study was performed to investigate the effect of paprika xanthophyll supplementation on respiratory parameters in athletes performing treadmill exercise. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study, 14 athletes were assigned to daily intake of a drink containing 9.0 mg of paprika xanthophylls or a placebo drink. Before and after the 4-week intervention period, blood samples were collected to measure plasma carotenoid levels. The athletes also performed treadmill exercise (12 km/hr for 20 min) before and after the 4-week intervention period, and respiratory parameters were analyzed. After 4 weeks, the paprika xanthophyll group had significantly higher levels of total plasma xanthophylls and total plasma carotenoids (p = 0.014 and 0.043, respectively) than the placebo group. V ・ O 2 , V ・ CO 2 , and V ・ E were significantly lower in the paprika xanthophyll group than the placebo group. These results suggest that paprika xanthophyll supplementation allowed athletes to perform exercise at a set intensity with lower oxygen uptake. Subjective fatigue after exercise was also significantly less severe in the paprika xanthophyll group.