Dietary supplementation with a superoxide dismutase-melon concentrate reduces stress, physical and mental fatigue in healthy people: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Nutrients. 2014 Jun 19;6(6):2348-59. doi: 10.3390/nu6062348.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-melon concentrate supplementation on psychological stress, physical and mental fatigue in healthy people.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 61 people divided in two groups: active supplement (n = 32) and placebo (n = 29) for 12 weeks. Volunteers were given one small hard capsule per day. One capsule contained 10 mg of SOD-melon concentrate (140 U of SOD) and starch for the active supplement and starch only for the placebo. Stress and fatigue were evaluated using four psychometric scales: PSS-14; SF-36; Stroop tests and Prevost scale.

Results: The supplementation with SOD-melon concentrate significantly decreased perceived stress, compared to placebo. Moreover, quality of life was improved and physical and mental fatigue were reduced with SOD-melon concentrate supplementation.

Conclusion: SOD-melon concentrate supplementation appears to be an effective and natural way to reduce stress and fatigue.

Trial registration: trial approved by the ethical committee of Poitiers (France), and the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier is NCT01767922.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cucurbitaceae*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Fatigue / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Fatigue / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Physiological / drug effects*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Superoxide Dismutase

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01767922