Flavanol Absorption, Metabolism and Excretion From Fruit-based Drinks and Other Food Matrixes
Condition: Healthy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Dietary intervention study in healthy adult males to evaluate concentration of flavanol
      metabolites in plasma and urine after single acute intakes of flavanols from different
      fruit-based drinks.
    

Detailed description: 
      Flavonoids, including the sub groups of Flavanols (F) are plant-derived compounds commonly
      present in the human diet. Examples of F-containing foods and beverages are apples,
      chocolate, tea, wine, berries, pomegranate and nuts. The consumption of F-containing foods
      and beverages has been associated with improvements in cardiovascular health. In this
      context, there exists a great interest in describing the absorption, metabolism and excretion
      of F in humans, as it is thought that F-derived metabolites present in circulation are the
      mediators of F-beneficial effects in humans. Recently, the investigators described a series
      of F-derived metabolites in circulation that are present after the consumption of a single
      acute intake amount of F in humans as well as F-metabolites derived from the metabolic
      activity of the gut microbiome. A key question, however, is if the metabolites we observed
      after a single acute feeding are the same as those that occur in individuals who consume
      F-rich diets on a regular basis. Studies investigating the metabolism of numerous other
      xenobiotics have shown that the profile of metabolites can greatly vary over time, as well as
      with the amount of the xenobiotic ingested. In this context, the investigators submit it is
      important to assess whether or not there are food matrix-dependent effects on the levels and
      profile of F-derived metabolites in humans. The investigators suggest the information that
      will be obtained from the outlined work will be particularly timely given ongoing discussion
      concerning the possible generation of dietary recommendations for F-rich foods and increasing
      interest in the putative health effects of F intake in humans.

      This study consisted of two parts. One part investigated flavanols absorption and metabolism
      from different fruit-based drinks and other food matrixes. The second part investigated
      flavanol absorption and metabolism after the intake of a flavanol drink alone and
      simultaneously consumed with a banana-based drink.

      Following the beginning of the trial, an advanced method to analyze cocoa flavanols was
      accredited by AOAC International as a First Action Official Method of Analysis
      https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoacint/qsaa132). This updated method relies on a reference material
      (RM8403) recently standardized and made commercially available by the U.S. National Institute
      of Standards and Technology. While the actual cocoa flavanol content of our intervention
      remained unchanged throughout the trial, the application of this new analytical method led to
      expected changes in how the total cocoa flavanol content is now reported. Applying AOAC
      2020.05/RM8403 to our intervention, the total cocoa flavanol content of select arms in our
      trials have been updated accordingly.
    

Intervention name(s): Flavanols-capsules; Flavanol-banana blend; Flavanol-high protein drink; Flavanol-berry blend; Flavanol-sports drink; Flavanol-peanut butter toast; Flavanol-oats; Flavanol-yogurt; II- Flavanol drink; II- Flavanol drink + banana blend
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other; Other; Other; Other; Other; Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Capsules containing 456 mg cocoa flavanols and 315 g of milk (1% fat); Fruit blend prepared by mixing 177 g ripe, frozen bananas, 240 g almond milk and a chocolate flavored powder containing 626 mg cocoa flavanols; Drink prepared by mixing 225 mL of a chocolate flavored high protein dairy drink with a CF powder containing 533 mg cocoa flavanols; Flavanol-berry blend prepared by mixing 120 g almond milk, 70 g water, 95 g yogurt, 50 g each strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, 105 g crushed ice and a fruit-flavored powder containing 561 mg cocoa flavanols; Drink prepared by mixing 488 g of a sports drink with a CF powder containing 533 mg cocoa flavanols; Prepared by mixing 32 g peanut butter with a chocolate flavored powder containing 602 mg cocoa flavanols and spread on 1 slice toasted bread (50 g) and 50 g sliced strawberries; Prepared by mixing 40 g quick oats with 237 g boiling water and combined with a chocolate flavored powder containing 602 mg cocoa flavanols; Prepared by 227 g yogurt (0% fat) mixed with a fruit-flavored powder containing 561 mg cocoa flavanols; Drink prepared by mixing 240 g almond milk with a chocolate flavored powder containing 626 mg cocoa flavanols; Drink 1 (Flavanol drink): prepared by mixing 120 g almond milk with 626 mg cocoa flavanols Drink 2 (Fruit blend): prepared by mixing 120 g almond milk blended with 177 g ripe, frozen bananas
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Cross-over dietary intervention study in healthy young adult males
Masking: Single (Investigator)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: flavanol; ADME; polyphenols; Cocoa; Banana; epicatechin