VertiGreens Investigating the Effects of Iron Biofortification of Microgreens on Iron Status in Women
- Conditions
- Iron Biomarkers/Status
- Registration Number
- NCT06972927
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Aberdeen
- Brief Summary
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.
- Detailed Description
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.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- Sex
- Female
- Target Recruitment
- 30
- Healthy females
- 15 of reproductive age (18-49)
- 15 postmenopausal (not had their period for an entire year)
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
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Haemoglobin status change from baseline Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28 Iron status changes in haemoglobin
Serum iron status change from baseline Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28 Iron status changes in serum iron
Ferritin status change from baseline Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28 Iron status changes in ferritin
CRP change from baseline Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28 Changes in CRP
Dietary iron intake changes compared to habitual diet every study day (28 days) Dietary iron intake changes in iron intake compared to habitual diet measured though food diaries
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Serum Vitamin B12 status change from baseline Measured on study day 1 and on study day 28 Vitamin B12 status changes
Adherence to consumption of microgreens/smoothie every study day (28 days) intake measured through food diaries
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
🇬🇧Aberdeen, United Kingdom