Background: Type 2 diabetes in older adults is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, with elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity playing central roles in disease progression. This study aimed to investigate the independent and combined effects of eight weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and NBS superfood supplementation on serum IL-1β and SOD levels in elderly men with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Forty older men (aged 60–75 years) with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated using stratified block randomization to four groups (n=10 each): control, exercise-only (TR), supplement-only (SUP), and exercise + supplement (TR+SUP). The exercise groups performed supervised cycling at 60–70% Wmax, 30 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks. The supplementation groups received 10 g/day NBS superfood. Fasting serum IL-1β and SOD were measured before and 48 hours after the intervention using ELISA.

Results: Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interactions for both IL-1β (p < 0.001, η²p = 0.372) and SOD (p < 0.001, η²p = 0.892). Post-hoc tests showed the greatest reductions in IL-1β and largest increases in SOD occurred in the TR+SUP group compared to all other groups (p < 0.001), indicating a synergistic effect.

Conclusion: Eight weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise combined with NBS superfood supplementation exerts potent synergistic anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in older men with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a promising non-pharmacological strategy for managing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.