Microgreen Consumption for Healthy Aging

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Microgreens are an emerging horticultural food crop with potential to improve human health. Previous research suggests they have broad consumer acceptance and that the micronutrient and bioactive compound levels are higher than that of their mature counterparts. To date, no studies have explored the feasibility of microgreen consumption, gastrointestinal tolerance of microgreen consumption, or their potential health impacts in humans. Therefore, the overall goal of this study is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of daily microgreen consumption, gastrointestinal tolerability, and potential health impacts of red cabbage and red beet microgreens in healthy middle-aged/older men and postmenopausal women - a population inherently at risk for chronic disease, e.g. cardiovascular disease.

Official Title
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Feasibility, Acceptability, Tolerability, and Potential Health Effects of Microgreen Consumption in Healthy Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Conditions
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Aging, Menopause, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Red cabbage microgreens
* Other: Red beet microgreens


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or postmenopausal Aged 45-70 Exclusion Criteria: Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, neuropathy, thrombosis, cancer, gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, lung, or pancreatic disease Taking medication for high cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood sugar, or are taking testosterone medications Blood pressure ≥ 130/80 mm Hg, triglyceride levels > 200 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ≥ 160 mg/dL, total cholesterol levels ≥ 240 mg/dL, and/or hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5% Weight change ≥ 3 kg (6.6 lb.) in the past 3 months prior to starting the study, are actively trying to lose weight, or are unwilling to remain weight stable throughout the study Have a BMI less than 18.5 or greater than 30 kg/m2 Are not willing to maintain normal eating/drinking and exercise habits over the duration of the study Currently smoke cigarettes or have a history of smoking cigarettes in the past 12 months Taking antibiotics or have taken them within one month of starting the study Binge and/or heavy drinker (>4 drinks on any given occasion and/or >14 drinks/week for men) Have allergies or contraindication to study foods, procedures, or procedure supplies

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 45 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Red cabbage microgreens<br>2 cups of fresh red cabbage microgreens per day | Other: Red cabbage microgreens<br>* 2 cups per day<br>|
| Experimental: Red beet microgreens<br>2 cups of fresh red beet microgreens per day | Other: Red beet microgreens<br>* 2 cups per day<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of participants retained | The number of participants retained versus lost to follow-up throughout the entire study | Baseline to 6 weeks | 
| Adherence to the intervention | Adherence will be determined for each 2-week microgreen intervention through a daily microgreen consumption log | Baseline to 2 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gastrointestinal symptom self-assessment | Determine the effects on gastrointestinal symptoms using a validated questionnaire for each 2-week microgreen intervention | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Gastrointestinal health | Determine the effects on gastrointestinal health using a daily bowel movement log for each 2-week microgreen intervention | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Blood pressure | Determine the effects on brachial and aortic blood pressure measured by SphygmoCor for each 2-week microgreen intervention | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Augmentation index | Determine the effects on augmentation index measured by SphygmoCor for each 2-week microgreen intervention | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Microbiota modulation | Use of 16s rRNA sequencing of stool samples to determine the effects of each 2-week microgreen intervention on microbial populations | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Changes in plasma metabolites | Use of mass spectrometry to determine the effects on plasma metabolites of bioactive compounds for each 2-week microgreen intervention | Baseline to 2 weeks | 
| Acceptability | Determine acceptability and feasibility of daily microgreen consumption through qualitative interviews with study participants at completion of the 6-week study | 6-week visit |