Nur Syamsina Ahmad, Aziz A A, Kong, K W, Hamid M S A, Cheong J P G and Hamzah S H
University of Malaya, Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
Introduction & Aim: Tualang Honey (TH) contains the highest free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity in Malaysia
which may have protective effect against oxidative stress. Since athletes developed oxidative stress during intense physical
activity and injury, therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TH on oxidative stress and whether it is
influenced by acute and chronic TH consumption in female athletes.
Methods: 20 female athletes [aged 20.3±2.4 years; Body Weight (BW) 53.2±4.9 kg] were randomly assigned into acute and
chronic studies and consumed 0.75 g/kg BW of TH. In acute study, participants (n=10) ingested a single dose of TH to observe
its effects at 2 hour. For chronic study, participants (n=10) ingested TH daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at
fasting and at 2 hour after TH consumption in acute study and at 0 and 8 week in chronic study. Blood plasma was analyzed
for oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)]. Paired and Independent t-test
is used in the statistical analysis.
Results: In the acute study, MDA level was significantly reduced by 5.4±5.9% from baseline to 2 hour but not ROS level. In the
chronic study, both MDA and ROS were significantly reduced by 13.7±10.2% and 28.3±19.1%, respectively. The chronic group
showed a significantly greater reduction in MDA and ROS that the acute group.
Conclusions: The extent by which Tualang Honey reduces oxidative stress in female athletes is influenced by its acute and
chronic consumption.
Nur Syamsina Ahmad is a Lecturer from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. She has an expertise in biochemistry of exercise and sport nutrition. She has been involved in randomized clinical trial studies and passion in improving the health and wellbeing among athletes. Her research interest is to see the effects of natural supplement on bone metabolism, antioxidant and oxidative stress.
E-mail: ursyamsina@usm.my
