Effects of Black Pepper on the Absorption of Nutrients in Vegetables

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this project is to determine the extent to which eating black pepper together with vegetables increase the absorption of carotenoids (a class of important nutrients) in the vegetables such as beta-carotene.

Detailed Description
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Black pepper has multiple health-promoting effects, many of which are associated with the relatively high levels of piperine it contains. Piperine can enhance the oral bioavailability of nutraceuticals in foods due to its inhibitory activity on drug metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450 and p-glycoprotein in the gastrointestinal mucosa. This decreases the first-pass metabolism of nutraceuticals thus increasing their levels in the systemic circulation. Numerous studies in both animals and humans have validated the efficacy of piperine in boosting nutraceutical bioavailability. However, most of these studies utilized highly purified sources of both piperine and nutraceuticals, and therefore do not provide direct evidence on the ability of black pepper (used as a spice) to enhance the bioavailability of nutraceuticals in real foods.

Official Title
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Effects of Black Pepper on the Absorption of Nutrients in Vegetables

Conditions
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Black Pepper, Absorption, Carotenoid

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: salad dressing (canola oil) and black pepper
* Other: salad dressing (canola oil)
* Other: black pepper
* Other: salad
* Other: Salad dressing (olive oil) and black pepper
* Other: Salad dressing (corn oil) and black pepper
* Other: Salad dressing (sunflower oil) and black pepper
* Other: Salad dressing (flaxseed oil) and black pepper


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18-30 year old healthy adults Exclusion Criteria: those who are <18 or >30 years old, have a BMI of <20 or >29 kg/m2, have a weight change >4.5 kg (9.91 pounds) in the past 3 months, exceed exercise activities of a recreational level over the past 3 months, have any diseases, especially intestinal disorders including lipid malabsorption or lactose intolerance, had abnormal liver or kidney function tests. Those who smoke, consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day, use medication affecting lipid profiles or dietary supplements affecting plasma cholesterol (e.g., Benocol or fiber supplements) will also be excluded. Additionally, this study excludes menopausal women, those using hormone-based contraceptives, those with abnormal menstrual cycles, and those who are pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: Salad<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad without dressing one time in the morning. | Other: salad<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad without dressing (canola oil) and without black pepper one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (canola oil)<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (canola oil) one time in the morning | Other: salad dressing (canola oil)<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (canola oil) one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad without dressing (canola oil) but with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad without dressing (canola oil) but with black pepper one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (canola oil) and black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (canola oil) and with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: salad dressing (canola oil) and black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with black pepper and dressing (canola oil) one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (olive oil) and black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (olive oil) and with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: Salad dressing (olive oil) and black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with black pepper and dressing (olive oil) one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (corn oil) and black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (corn oil) and with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: Salad dressing (corn oil) and black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with black pepper and dressing (corn oil) one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (sunflower oil) and black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (sunflower oil) and with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: Salad dressing (sunflower oil) and black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with black pepper and dressing (sunflower oil) one time in the morning<br>|
| Active Comparator: Salad dressing (flaxseed oil) and black pepper<br>Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with dressing (flaxseed oil) and with black pepper one time in the morning | Other: Salad dressing (flaxseed oil) and black pepper<br>* Subjects will consume a vegetable salad with black pepper and dressing (flaxseed oil) one time in the morning<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determine the level of carotenoids in blood | Utilize HPLC to quantify blood levels of carotenoids in subjects consumed test articles | 12-16 weeks |