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Effect of cashew nut consumption on salivary serotonin levels in adolescents with premenstrual syndrome
Hasba D.P.
Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio Per Le Scienze Mediche
Q4Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tryptophan helps in the production of serotonin, which functionally reduces the pain caused by premenstrual syndrome. cashew nuts are believed to alleviate premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This study aimed to investigate the impact of cashew nut consumption on salivary serotonin levels among adolescents with premenstrual syndrome.METHODS: The study sample consisted of 42 adolescents with PMS who met the inclusion criteria. This study used a quasi-experiment design with control group design. The intervention group received cashew nuts as much as 70 grams/day. The intervention lasted for 2 weeks (starting from day 14 to day 28 of the first menstrual cycle). Data were obtained by taking saliva samples to check serotonin levels and data measuring PMS symptoms were obtained from SPAF questionnaire.RESULTS: The intervention group who consumed cashew nuts showed an increase in serotonin levels from 158.91 ng/mL ± 86.65 to 250.43 ng/mL ± 115.99 (P=0.768), compared to the control group who experienced an increase in serotonin levels from 123.7 ng/mL ± 53.39 to 117.67 ng/mL ± 51.15 in the control group who did not consume cashew nuts (P<0.001). In addition, the intervention group experienced a decrease in PMS symptom scores from 26.57±4.97 to 17.38±1.88 (P=0.675), while the control group showed an increase in PMS symptom scores from 27.8±5.06 to 28.23±4.01 (P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of cashew nuts has the potential to elevate serotonin levels and alleviate symptoms of PMS in adolescents.