Evaluating the Availability of Berry Phytonutrients Post-consumption of Fresh and Processed Blueberry by Healthy Adults

Summary

This study will evaluate the availability of phytonutrients in two blueberry varieties, chosen for their phytonutrient levels. This will be compared to phytonutrient-matched processed protein bar and a macronutrient-matched control meal, in healthy human volunteers. Blueberry phytonutrients will be analyzed in blood and urine over a four-day period, 48h prior to consumption and 48h after. The participants will consume each of the four meals over a 3-month period (4-way crossover design, 4 blocks of 4-day periods). The main objective of this study is to compare the proportions of blueberry phytonutrients recovered in the blood and urine after ingestion of the four treatments. We hypothesize that phytonutrient content will be predictive of human bioavailability and that a berry-enriched processed product will have similar phytonutrient bioavailability to unprocessed berries.

The results of this study may establish if the nutritional value of a berry can be predicted or enhanced to provide elevated nutritional quality, with the ultimate goal of maximizing the health benefits of fruit consumption. As it is challenging for many to increase their fruit and vegetable intake to government recommended levels (5+ servings per day), the present proof-of-concept study explores a reasonable approach to help consumers achieve optimal health associated with high fruit and vegetable intakes, within the context of current consumption patterns, through enhancement of the nutritional density and bioavailability of common fruits and consumer products.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

OTHER

a non-traditional (i.e., not typically available in the supermarket) blueberry cultivar bred using natural plant breeding techniques and established as having enhanced nutritive value

150 g of a non-traditional (i.e., not typically available in the supermarket) blueberry cultivar bred using natural plant breeding techniques and established as having enhanced nutritive value. Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of food or supplements containing berry phytonutrients) for 7 days before each arm visit and throughout the study days.

OTHER

a standard commercially available blueberry variety (i.e., cultivar)

150 g of a standard commercially available blueberry variety (i.e., cultivar). Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of food or supplements containing berry phytonutrients) for 7 days before each arm visit and throughout the study days.

OTHER

a "minimally processed" blueberry-rich protein bar

A "minimally processed" blueberry-rich protein bar matched to the phytonutrient content of the 150 g of the non-traditional blueberry. Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of food or supplements containing berry phytonutrients) for 7 days before each arm visit and throughout the study days.

OTHER

a control beverage of matched-nutritive content

The matched nutritive content of the blueberry-rich protein bar will be dissolved in whey protein Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of food or supplements containing berry phytonutrients) for 7 days before each arm visit and throughout the study days.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• North Carolina State University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Colin D Kay, PhD · North Carolina State University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-12-13

Primary Completion

2021-10-29

Completion

2021-10-29

Countries

• United States

Study Locations