The goal of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial is to investigate the effects of beetroot-derived betalains on cardiovascular health, sleep and quality of life in healthy middle-aged individuals. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Do betalains improve vascular function? * Do betalains improve sleep? * Do betalains improve quality of life? Participants will be involved with the following: * Consuming a daily betalain-rich or placebo capsule for a month * Non-invasive cardiovascular measurements * Wearing a fitness tracker for tracking physical activity and sleep * Answering questionnaires regarding quality of life Researchers will compare results between the intervention versus the placebo group to see if any of the study outcomes are significantly different.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
42
Metabolic Research Unit (King's College London)
London, London, United Kingdom
Changes in flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery
Determine changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery after 4 weeks consumption of 25 mg betalains
Time frame: Baseline & 4 weeks
Changes in flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery
Determine changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery at 90 minutes after consumption of 25 mg betalains
Time frame: Baseline & 90 minutes
Changes in blood pressure
Determine changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 90 minutes and 4 weeks after consumption of 25 mg betalains
Time frame: Baseline, 90 minutes and 4 weeks
Changes in arterial stiffness
Determine changes in pulse-wave velocity and pulse-wave analysis after 4 weeks of consumption of 25 mg betalains using applanation tonometry on SphygmoCor system.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Changes in heart rate
Determine changes in heart rate at 90 minutes and 4 weeks after consumption of 25 mg betalains
Time frame: Baseline, 90 minutes and 4 weeks
Changes in sleep quality (sleep duration, percent of light, deep and REM sleep and etc.)
Determine changes in sleep quality (sleep duration, percent of light, deep and REM sleep etc.) after 4 weeks of consumption of 25 mg betalains using wearable activity tracker.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Changes in quality of life (quality of life scores and physical activity)
Determine changes in quality of life after 4 weeks consumption of 25 mg betalains via WHOQoL-100 questionnaire, Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey, and physical activity on wearable activity tracker.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Changes in blood flow velocity
Determine changes in blood flow velocity at 90 minutes and 4 weeks after consumption of 25 mg betalains
Time frame: Baseline, 90 minutes and 4 weeks
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