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Pomegranate juice intake enhances salivary testosterone levels and improves mood and well being in healthy men and women

  • March 2012
  • Conference: Society for Endocrinology BES 2012
  • At: Harrogate, UK
Authors:
Nacer Foudil Smail at Queen Margaret University
Nacer Foudil Smail
Emad AS Al-Dujaili at The University of Edinburgh
Emad AS Al-Dujaili
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Abstract and Figures

Background: Through out history, pomegranate symbolizes fertility and has been postulated to enhance sexual function and drive. Recently, we have shown that pomegranate juice rich in polyphenolic antioxidants can alleviate stress and cardiovascular risk factors by reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure and inhibiting 11βHSD1 activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pomegranate juice intake influences mood and salivary testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. Methods: A controlled cross-sectional repeated measure study was carried out on 60 volunteers recruited from different work locations. The subjects vary in age (mean=39.1±13.8y), sex (22 males and 38 females) and BMI (25.6±4.5 kg/m2). Daily saliva samples (AM, noon and PM) were collected, blood pressure, arterial elasticity measured as pulse wave velocity and PANAS-X mood questionnaire were performed before, during and at the end of 2 weeks pomegreat® pure juice intake. Salivary testosterone levels were estimated by highly specific and sensitive ELISA. Results: Pomegranate juice intake caused a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Systolic reduced from 123.7± to 119.6± mmHg, P<0.001; Diastolic from 74.9± to 72.4±mmHg, P<0.001), and improvement in the PANAS-X test score (overall increased from 73 to 77, P<0.001; positives increased from 29 to 31, P=0.017; and negatives decreased from 16 to14, P=0.029). Arterial elasticity was significantly reduced (from 7.1± to 6.9±m/sec, p=0.003). Salivary testosterone levels increased significantly after 1 and 2 weeks following PJ intake in both men and women [daily average in men from 242.1±67.7 to 296.1±90.1, P=0.001 (1 week) to 298.4±79.9pg/mL, P<0.001 (2 weeks); in women from 161.2±39.5 to 196.1±46.2 (P<0.001) to 204.5±47.6 (P<0.001)]. The increase in salivary testosterone was also observed at all time points studied. Conclusions: This study shows that consumption of pomegranate pure juice has significantly increased salivary testosterone levels (average of 24%) in addition to effects on blood pressure, mood and the positive scores of anxiety and emotions in a large group of workers from different disciplines. Declaration of interest: There is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported. Funding: No specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.
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Natural Pomegranate juice improves mood,
wellbeing and enhances Salivary Testosterone
levels in healthy volunteers
Emad A S Al-Dujaili* and Nacer F Smail
School of Health Sciences, Dietetics, Nutrition and
Biological Sciences, Queen Margaret University,
Edinburgh, UK
* Corresponding Author Present address:
Cardiovascular Centre, Queens Medical Research
Institute, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
Email: ealdujai@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
BACKGROUND
Throughout history, pomegranate symbolizes fertility
and wellbeing, and has been postulated to enhance
sexual drive. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L)
provides a rich and varied source of polyphenols.
Ellagitannins, tannins, anthocyanins, ellagic and gallic
acids are the most abundant antioxidants found in the
fruit. An animal study has shown that pomegranate
juice intake increases testosterone level and sperm
quality (Turk et al, 2008). Recently, we have shown that
pomegranate juice consumption may alleviate stress
and cardiovascular risk factors by reducing systolic and
diastolic blood pressure and inhibiting 11β-HSD1
activity (Al-Dujaili, 2011).
AIM OF PROJECT
To investigate whether daily intake of natural
pomegranate juice can influence mood and
salivary Testosterone levels in healthy volunteers.
METHODS
A Placebo-controlled, repeated measure intervention trial in
healthy subjects was conducted (figure 1) to assess whether
consumption of pomegranate fruit juice (RJ Foods, UK: 100% fruit
juice, 500mL/day) affects work-related stress levels as measured by
a stress and mood questionnaire (simplified PANAS-X) and salivary
Testosterone and Cortisol levels (using highly sensitive and specific
ELISA methods). Participants consuming their normal diet were
asked to provide three saliva samples (morning, noon and evening)
on one random day during the run in-phase before the intervention
and following one week and 2 weeks of pomegranate pure juice
intake (figure 2). Age of subjects ranged from 21-64y, mean
=39.1±13.8y, and overall BMI mean was 25.6± 4.5kg/m2. The
project was approved by QMU Ethical Committee. At each visit, 3
readings of Blood pressure and PWV (VicorderTM) were taken after
participants had been at rest for approximately 10 minutes. As a
control, 12 subjects (matched for age and BMI) were given sugared
water of same amount of kcal in dark containers for 2 weeks.
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of study protocol design.
Figure 2: Nutritional
content per 100mL of
natural Pomegranate
Pure juice.
RESULTS 1
There was a significant reduction in SBP, DBP and arterial elasticity
(PWV) after 2 weeks of the juice consumption (figures 3-5). Table 1
shows that the average overall PANAS-X score increased from 73 to
77 (p=0.0008), positive score increased from 29 to 31 (p=0.017) and
negative score decreased from 16 to14 (p=0.029).
In addition, analysis of some individual attributes showed that (a) All
subjects felt that they were more enthusiastic (p=0.025), inspired
(p=0.0007), Proud (p=0.022) and Active (p=0.046), and (b) They felt
less distressed (p=0.05), nervous (p=0.046), guilty (p=0.006) and
ashamed (p=0.01).
Subjects who consumed the placebo juice did not show any
significant changes in anthropometry, physiological, mood attributes
and hormonal parameters.
Figure 3: Effect of Pomegranate juice intake
on systolic blood pressure in all subjects
(p<0.0001).
Figure 4: Effect of Pomegranate juice intake
on diastolic blood pressure in all subjects
(p<0.001).
Table 1: Results of Stress and Mood Questionnaire
(n=60)
RESULTS 2
Overall salivary Testosterone levels has significantly increased after
Pomegranate pure juice consumption (p<0.001) at all time points
tested (figure 6). However, circadian rhythm of the hormone secretion
was maintained throughout the study. Salivary testosterone levels
were increased in both males and females (figures 7 and 8). There was
also a significant reduction in salivary levels of Cortisol following the
juice consumption (p<0.001) at all times of the day (figure 9). The ratio
of cortisol to cortisone at all time points was also significantly
decreased (figure 10) suggesting that the juice intake might inhibit the
activity of the enzyme 11βHSD1 which is responsible for the activation
of the inactive hormone, Cortisone to the active form, Cortisol.
Figure 5: Effect of Pomegranate juice
intake on pulse wave velocity
(assessing arterial health) in all
subjects (p=0.003).
Figure 6: Overall SalivaryTestosterone levels
before, week1 and week2 of pomegranate juice
intake in healthy volunteers. Significance after
week 1 (am p<0.0001; noon, p=0.001; pm
p<0.0001).
Figure 8: Female daily salivary Testosterone
levels before, week1 and week2 of
pomegranate juice intake in healthy
volunteers. Significance after week 1 (am,
p<0.0001; noon, p=0.001; pm, <0.0001).
Figure 7: Male daily salivary Testosterone
levels before, week1 and week2 of
pomegranate juice intake in healthy
volunteers. Significance after week 1 (am,
p<0.0001; noon, p=0.001; pm, <0.0001).
Figure 9: Comparison of daily salivary Cortisol levels before,
one week and 2 weeks of pomegranate juice intake in
healthy volunteers (mean ±SD). Significance after week 1.
Figure 10: Effect of pomegranate juice intake on the ratio of Cortisol
to Cortisone, an indicator of 11 βHSD1 enzyme activity. Significance
after week 1 (am p<0.0001; noon p=0.001; pm= 0.003).
Discussion and Conclusion 1
The study shows that consumption of natural pomegranate pure
juice for 2 weeks has a slight but significant increase in salivary
testosterone in both males and females. Feeling of stress and
nervousness was also reduced with improved wellbeing in a large
group of workers from different disciplines.
These findings could be due to the fact that pomegranate pure juice
intake causes a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic
blood pressure and salivary levels of the stress hormone, cortisol
and the ratio of cortisol/cortisone(figures 9 and 10). There was also
an improvement in arterial health as measured by pulse wave
velocity.
In addition, the known effect of polyphenols-rich pomegranate juice
in reducing oxidative stress by neutralising the damaging effects of
free radicals might also have an important impact.
The slight increase in testosterone may also explain the improvement
in mood as also shown by PANAS-X score. We hypothesise that the
small increase in salivary testosterone (mostly free fraction) might
possibly be due to the inhibition of the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyl
transferases (2B7, 2B15, and 2B17) by pomegranate flavonoids.
Conjugation of anabolic steroids during phase II metabolism such as
glucuronidation is mainly driven by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
(UGT), which has been shown to be inhibited in vitro by a range of
compounds including flavonoids (Jenkinson et al, 2013).
We suggest that future studies should investigate the effect of daily
intake of pomegranate juice on large cohorts of Medical and AHP
workers and try to elucidate possible mechanisms of pomegranate
flavonoids action in modulating the levels of androgens and stress
hormones.
Discussion and Conclusion 2
References
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Al-Dujaili, Nacer Smail (2011) Pomegranate juice consumption reduces salivary cortisol levels
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Baghdadi H, Al-Dujaili EAS et al. (2010) Application o a highly specific and sensitive ELISA for the
estimation of cortisone in biological fluids. Endocrine abstracts, 21: P343.
Basu, A. and Penugonda, K. 2009. Pomegranate juice: a heart healthy juice. Nutrition Reviews,
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2008 Apr;27(2):289-96
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Article
  • Mar 2008
A number of different beverage products claim to have antioxidant potency due to their perceived high content of polyphenols. Basic and applied research indicates that pomegranate juice (PJ), produced from the Wonderful variety of Punica granatum fruits, has strong antioxidant activity and related health benefits. Although consumers are familiar with the concept of free radicals and antioxidants, they are often misled by claims of superior antioxidant activity of different beverages, which are usually based only on testing of a limited spectrum of antioxidant activities. There is no available direct comparison of PJ's antioxidant activity to those of other widely available polyphenol-rich beverage products using a comprehensive variety of antioxidant tests. The present study applied (1) four tests of antioxidant potency [Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)]; (2) a test of antioxidant functionality, that is, inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by peroxides and malondialdehyde methods; and (3) evaluation of the total polyphenol content [by gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)] of polyphenol-rich beverages in the marketplace. The beverages included several different brands as follows: apple juice (3), açaí juice (3), black cherry juice (3), blueberry juice (3), cranberry juice (3), Concord grape juice (3), orange juice (3), red wines (3), iced tea beverages (10) [black tea (3), green tea (4), white tea (3)], and a major PJ available in the U.S. market. An overall antioxidant potency composite index was calculated by assigning each test equal weight. PJ had the greatest antioxidant potency composite index among the beverages tested and was at least 20% greater than any of the other beverages tested. Antioxidant potency, ability to inhibit LDL oxidation, and total polyphenol content were consistent in classifying the antioxidant capacity of the polyphenol-rich beverages in the following order: PJ>red wine>Concord grape juice>blueberry juice>black cherry juice, açaí juice, cranberry juice>orange juice, iced tea beverages, apple juice. Although in vitro antioxidant potency does not prove in vivo biological activity, there is also consistent clinical evidence of antioxidant potency for the most potent beverages including both PJ and red wine.
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  • Jan 2011
  • MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL
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  • Nacer Al-Dujaili
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Al-Dujaili, Nacer Smail (2011) Pomegranate juice consumption reduces salivary cortisol levels and improves mood and positive affects at work in healthy volunteers. 5 th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health, Barcelona, 17-20 Oct. page 145.
Application o a highly specific and sensitive ELISA for the estimation of cortisone in biological fluids
  • Jan 2010
  • 343
  • H Baghdadi
  • Al-Dujaili Eas
Baghdadi H, Al-Dujaili EAS et al. (2010) Application o a highly specific and sensitive ELISA for the estimation of cortisone in biological fluids. Endocrine abstracts, 21: P343.