Cashew Apple Juice Improves Physical Fitness and Oxidative Stress Status in the Middle-Aged and Elderly Volunteers
Sasalux Kaewbutra MSc*, Jintanaporn Wattanathorn PhD**,***, Wipawee Thukham-mee PhD**,***, Supaporn Muchimapura PhD**,***, Terdthai Tong-Un MD**,***
Affiliation : * Department of Physiology (Neuroscience Program) and Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Integrative Complementary Alternative Medicine Research and Development Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : Based on the crucial role of oxidative stress on physical performance and muscular strength, we aimed to
determine the effect of a 12 week-consumption period of cashew apple juice, a substance possessing antioxidant effect, on the
physical fitness and oxidative stress status of the middle aged and the elderly.
Material and Method: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design was performed. Forty-five healthy middle-age
and elderly volunteers received 1,000 ml of either cashew apple juice (120 and 240 mg/day) or placebo once daily for 12
weeks. The changes of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and
glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzymes in the plasma together with the health related-physical fitness was assessed every
four weeks throughout the 12-week consumption period and four weeks after the cessation of the consumption.
Results : The subjects who consumed the cashew apple juice at dose of 240 mg/day showed improved oxidative stress status
and enhanced performance in 30-second chair stand test and 6-minute walk test. These data suggested that a 12-week
consumption period of cashew apple juice consumption enhance muscle strength of lower extremities and the cardiopulmonary
endurance.
Conclusion : The possible underlying mechanism might occur partly via the improved oxidative stress status. Therefore,
cashew apple fruit juice may be a potential candidate to enhance the health-related physical fitness for the middle aged and
elderly volunteers. However, further research is required to provide better understanding about the precise underlying
mechanism.
Keywords : Cashew apple juice, Physical fitness, Oxidative stress
