Effect of Chickpea Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Inflammatory Plasma Markers During a Football Tournament: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial

This randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study evaluated the safety and potential beneficial effects of a beverage containing chickpea protein hydrolysate in football players. Participants received the chickpea protein hydrolysate beverage and a matched protein-containing placebo beverage during two four-week intervention periods separated by a two-week washout period. The study assessed biochemical safety parameters, antioxidant status, inflammatory biomarkers, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, muscle damage markers, dietary intake, and body composition.