Abstract
Using a placebo-controlled single blind study, we examined the effect of dried skipjack soup stock (DSSS) on the mood and emotional states of middle-aged Japanese subjects. Thirty-eight subjects (19 female, 19 male) were divided into two groups, and one group consumed “miso soup” containing 5.0g/day of DSSS (test group), and the other group consumed “miso soup” without DSSS (placebo group) for 2 weeks. In the analysis performed on all subjects, the eye fatigue score of the emotional questionnaire (EQ) significantly decreased in week 1 (p<0.05), and the depression score of the profile of mood states (POMS) significantly decreased in week 2 (p<0.05) for the Test group. In the analysis performed on subjects who had fatigue symptoms, the fatigue score and the concentration score of the EQ significantly decreased (improved) in the Test group(p<0.05). The tension score of POMS significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the Test group. The TMD change in the Test group was significantly lower than that of Placebo group (p<0.05). These results suggested that the intake of DSSS has a beneficial effect on the moods and emotional states of middle-aged Japanese.
