Consumption of star fruit juice on pro-inflammatory markers and walking distance in the community dwelling elderly

• 100 g of star fruit juice consumed twice per day for 4 weeks provides health benefits in older adults.
• Consumption of star fruit appears to mediate the systemic pro-inflammatory markers of NO, interleukin-23 and TNF-alpha.
• Decreased TNF-alpha and increased NO correlated to improved walking capacity.

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of star fruit juice supplementation on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-23 (IL-23) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), nitric oxide (NO), and 6 min walking distance (6MWD) in a group of elderly individuals.MethodsTwenty-nine individuals (20 males, 9 females) with a mean age of 72.4 ± 8.3 years completed this study. A two-week control period was followed by four weeks of 100 g fresh star fruit juice consumption twice per day after meals.ResultsPlasma TNF-α, IL-23, IL-2, NO and the 6MWD were evaluated twice during the control period (weeks 0 and 2) and once after the star fruit juice consumption (week 6).ResultsThe results showed that all parameters in the blood did not change significantly during the control period. After 4 weeks of star fruit juice consumption, a significant reduction in NO, TNF-α and IL-23 was found; however, there was no change in IL-2. Moreover, the 6MWD increased significantly at week 6, when compared to that at week 0 and 2. Furthermore, the results also showed a significantly positive and negative correlation of NO and TNF-α to the 6MWD, but no correlation of IL-23 and IL-2.ConclusionThis preliminary study concluded that consumption of star fruit juice at 100 g twice daily for one month can significantly depress the pro-inflammation cytokines: TNF-α, IL-23, and NO, while increasing walking distance. Low TNF-α and high NO also present a significant correlation to walking capacity in elderly individuals.