Liofilizowane owoce róży obniżają poziom kortyzolu u studentów po stresie egzaminacyjnym
Freeze-dried rose hips decrease cortisol levels in students after the stress of exams

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Plant extracts rich in phenolic compounds may modify the stress level. The aim of this project is to investigate whether freeze-dried rosehips (Rosa rugosa), taken orally by students, affect cortisol concentration before and after a highly stressful exam. Materials and methods: The double-blind study included healthy volunteers recruited from medical and health sciences students. Participants in the study group took capsules containing 400 mg of freeze-dried ground rosehips for five consecutive days preceding the exam (stressor). At that time, the control group was taking a placebo (120 mg of glucose). Participants completed a questionnaire on their gender, lifestyle, medical history, physical activity, diet, stimulants, medications and dietary supplements. Saliva samples for determining the level of cortisol in saliva were taken three times: in the morning before the beginning of the experimental phase, in the morning before the stressor, and one hour after the stressor subsided. The level of cortisol in saliva was determined using ELISA. Results: It was found that taking freeze-dried rosehips for five days significantly reduced the level of cortisol in students after the exam compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in the level of cortisol before the exam, regardless of the preparation taken. No other analyzed factor influenced the concentration of the stress hormone in students. Conclusions: Freeze-dried rosehips can help reduce the effects of stress.

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