EFFECT OF ASHGOURD JUICE ON ANTHROPOMETRIC AND BIOCHEMICAL VARIABLES AMONG HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS - A COHORT STUDY

Background & Objective: Ash gourd has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiasthmatic, diuretic, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antimicrobial effects. Flavonoids, glycosides, saccharides, proteins, carotenes, β-sitosterol were the main components. Chemical analysis showed that the main sugars in the Benincasa hispida peels were galactose, glucose, xylose, and sorbose and the edible portion contains 96.3% moisture,0.12% acidity, and 0.5% minerals. The mineral content in ash gourd follows the order: Na>Ca>Fe>Zn>K>Mn, which are important for maintaining homeostatic balance. Drinking ash gourd juice also aids in weight loss. Hence the present study is to evaluate the effect of ash gourd on anthropometric and biochemical variables of healthy individuals. Methods: In this study, 60 subjects were advised to drink 200ml of ash gourd juice for 4 days in a week. Baseline data for Anthropometric measurement, Biochemical variables, and Depression Anxiety Stress Score, were taken before the study and after 3 months of the study. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The result showed significant impact of ash gourd juice on anthropometric variables. There was reduction in weight, BMI, waist-hip ratio, Triceps-SKF, and Subscapular-SKF measures. On analysis, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Urine pH and NLR showed significant reduction p < 0.05. A significant change in DASS21 adds value to psychological well-being. There was no change in Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, and VLDL cholesterol parameters. Conclusion: There was significant impact of ash gourd juice on parameters like Anthropometry height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, skinfold thickness and biochemical variables, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Urine pH and NLR. The result of the DASS21 questionnaire in the study shows evidence to enhance mental health and well-being. Hence, Ash gourd juice may be beneficial in metabolic disorders and inflammatory conditions.