Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain.
Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain.
Nutrients. 2022 Jan 4;14(1):218. doi: 10.3390/nu14010218.
The current fast-moving, hectic lifestyle has increased the number of individuals worldwide with difficulties in managing stress, which in turn is also affecting their sleep quality. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess a natural plant-based dietary supplement comprised of lemon verbena () extract, purified in phenylpropanoids, in alleviating stress and improving quality of sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Both validated questionnaires and functional tests were performed during the study, whereas questionnaires were used after the washout. As a result, the group taking the lemon verbena extract significantly reduced their perception of stress after 8 weeks, which was corroborated by a significant decrease in cortisol levels. After the washout period, the subjects reported to present even lower stress levels, due to the lasting effect of the ingredient. As for sleep quality, the subjects taking the supplement reported feeling better rested, with a stronger effect observed in women. Sleep tracking using a wearable device revealed that the supplement users improved their times in the deeper stages of sleep, specifically their percentage of time in deep sleep and REM. In conclusion, lemon verbena extract purified in phenylpropanoids is revealed as a natural solution to help individuals to improve their stress and sleep quality.
当前快节奏、繁忙的生活方式增加了全球范围内许多难以应对压力的人群，这反过来也影响了他们的睡眠质量。因此，本研究的目的是评估一种由柠檬马鞭草（）提取物组成的天然植物性膳食补充剂，该提取物经苯丙素类化合物提纯，以缓解压力和改善睡眠质量。进行了为期 8 周的双盲、安慰剂对照研究，随后进行了 4 周的洗脱期。在研究期间进行了经过验证的问卷和功能测试，而在洗脱期后则使用了问卷。结果表明，服用柠檬马鞭草提取物的组在 8 周后明显减轻了对压力的感知，这与皮质醇水平的显著下降相吻合。在洗脱期后，由于成分的持续作用，受试者报告的压力水平甚至更低。至于睡眠质量，服用补充剂的受试者报告说休息得更好，女性的效果更明显。使用可穿戴设备进行睡眠跟踪显示，补充剂使用者改善了他们在深度睡眠阶段的时间，特别是他们的深度睡眠时间和 REM 百分比。总之，经苯丙素类化合物提纯的柠檬马鞭草提取物被证明是一种帮助个体改善压力和睡眠质量的天然解决方案。
