The hypothesis is that richly coloured purple vegetables, rich in polyphenolic compounds including anthocyanins will have higher antioxidant and other biological activities, than more lightly coloured versions of these foods. Diets of human subjects will be modified to allow consumption of 200-300 g of raw carrots or cooked potatoes. Participants will be randomized to consume either orange or purple carrots, or white or purple potatoes. They will consume these diets for 12 weeks and bioavailability of polyphenolics will be examined as well as anthropometry and blood biochemistry for changes in risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
200-300 g raw carrots or 300-500 g cooked potatoes
Human Nutraceutical Research Unit
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGBlood cholesterol
blood will be collected at baseline before the experimental foods are introduced and again 6 weeks into the intervention period and during the last week of the intervention (week 12)
Time frame: 12 weeks
blood pressure
Participants will have their body weight and blood pressure taken at weekly counselling sessions
Time frame: 12 weeks
body composition
body composition will be measured in well hydrated subjects using bioelectric impedence analysis
Time frame: 12 weeks
insulin resistance
insulin resistance will be measured by way of an oral glucose tolerance test and collection of venous blood samples for the subsequent 3 hours on two occasions, baseline and during the last week of the intervention diet.
Time frame: 12 weeks
blood and urinary polyphenol metabolites
venous blood and urine will be collected to determine the metabolic profiles of polyphenolics in individual participants. Based on intake data, the bioavailability of the polyphenols in the foods will be estimated.
Time frame: 12 weeks
circulating biomarkers of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes risk
Blood will be collected for measurement of multiple cytokines, growth factors and other blood biomarkers associated with these diseases.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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