VertiGreens Investigating the Effects of Iron Biofortification of Microgreens on Iron Status in Women

University of Aberdeen30 enrolled

Overview

The investigators present a diet intervention study, to be conducted as a within-subject design, to assess the effect of the provision of iron biofortified microgreens on iron intake and status in women of reproductive age and postmenopausal women. This will be investigated by providing smoothie kits for 28 days containing these microgreens and determining the impact on iron biomarkers. The investigators will also assess habitual diet, BMI, physical activity and gastrointestinal symptoms. This study will be a proof-of-concept exploratory study to explore diet based biofortification through vertical farming systems.

In this study microgreens that were grown using agronomic iron biofortification will be supplied to women to add to their diet to establish the potential nutritional impact of iron biofortified microgreens on overall iron intake and iron status. Furthermore, it will assess the adherence to the provided consumption recommendations of the biofortified crops.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Iron Biomarkers/Status

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy females * 15 of reproductive age (18-49) * 15 postmenopausal (not had their period for an entire year) Exclusion Criteria: Medication exclusion criteria: * Supplementing iron or vitamin B12 * Smoking or vaping * Taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) except for Aspirin 75mg Medical exclusion criteria: * Anyone who is planning to be pregnant, is pregnant or breastfeeding * Anyone with iron or vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia * Anyone with history of anaemia in the past 3 months that required treatment * Anyone who has Hb \<120 g/L (12 g/dL) at screening * Anyone with food allergies, self-reported food sensitivity or intolerance * Anyone with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance * Anyone suffering from a psychiatric disorder or any type of substance abuse * Anyone with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes * Anyone suffering from unregulated thyroid disease * Anyone with gastrointestinal conditions or bariatric surgery * Anyone with haematological conditions including Thrombocytopaenia and Sickle cell anaemia Other exclusion criteria: * Anyone with unsuitable veins for blood sampling * Anyone who donated blood in the last 16 weeks * Anyone who is unable to fluently speak, read and understand English

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Haemoglobin status change from baseline

Iron status changes in haemoglobin

Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

Serum iron status change from baseline

Iron status changes in serum iron

Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

Ferritin status change from baseline

Iron status changes in ferritin

Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

CRP change from baseline

Changes in CRP

Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

Dietary iron intake changes compared to habitual diet

Dietary iron intake changes in iron intake compared to habitual diet measured though food diaries

Time frame: every study day (28 days)

Secondary Outcomes

Serum Vitamin B12 status change from baseline

Vitamin B12 status changes

Time frame: Measured on study day 1 and on study day 28

Adherence to consumption of microgreens/smoothie

intake measured through food diaries

Time frame: every study day (28 days)

VertiGreens Investigating the Effects of Iron Biofortification of Microgreens on Iron Status in Women

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts