Use of Nutritional Strategies, Bioactive Compounds, and Dietary Supplements in Young Athletes: From Evidence to Potential Risks—A Narrative Review

TL;DR

This review examines the use of bioactive compounds in young athletes, highlighting potential benefits and the need for more research on safety and effectiveness.

Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review of bioactive compounds in young athletes, emphasizing the gap in pediatric-specific evidence and potential risks.

Findings

Bioactive compounds like omega-3s and curcumin may improve recovery and immune function in young athletes.

Most evidence comes from adult studies, with limited pediatric-specific data on safety and efficacy.

Concerns exist about supplement misuse and contamination with banned substances in young athletes.

Abstract

Young athletes face unique nutritional challenges due to their simultaneous engagement in intensive physical training and ongoing growth and development. Standard adult-based dietary recommendations often fail to meet the specific needs of this population. While the role of macronutrients and micronutrients is well recognized, increasing attention is being paid to bioactive compounds—non-essential food-derived elements with potential health benefits. This review aims to summarize current evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and potential benefits of bioactive compounds in the nutritional management of young athletes. Methods: A narrative review of the literature published over the last 30 years was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies published in English. The inclusion criteria covered original research articles, clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies, and meta-analyses focusing on individuals aged 8–20 years. Studies addressing supplementation strategies, physiological effects, and safety concerns of bioactive compounds in young athletes were selected. Preclinical data and adult-based studies were also included to contextualize molecular mechanisms and support clinical findings. Results: The review highlights that bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, caffeine, and creatine as well as antioxidant vitamins may play a beneficial role in improving recovery, immune function, and performance in young athletes. Of these 21 studies, 8 focused on recovery and muscle soreness, 6 addressed immune function or antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects, and 7 investigated direct performance enhancement. However, most of the available evidence derives from adult populations, and pediatric-specific data remain limited. Concerns remain about the misuse of supplements, lack of professional guidance, and potential contamination with banned substances. Conclusions: While some bioactive compounds show promising potential to support the health and performance of young athletes, current evidence is insufficient to support routine use in this population. More pediatric-specific research is necessary to establish safety, efficacy, and appropriate supplementation protocols tailored to young athletes’ unique physiological needs.

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