Study of How Shelf-Stable Tart Cherry Food Items Are Absorbed and Used in the Body

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how eating shelf-stored tart cherry products affects the bodys ability to absorb and use compounds found in tart cherries. Researchers are studying this because tart cherry products may help reduce muscle damage and soreness and improve antioxidant capacity after exercise. The study involves active-duty military personnel and civilians aged 17 to 39 who are in good health and willing to follow study instructions. Participants will take part in a randomized, crossover study where they consume four different food products over four sessions with five-day breaks between them. These products include a commercial tart cherry juice, a snack bar with tart cherry powder, a powdered drink with tart cherry powder, and a control beverage without tart cherry. Each tart cherry product contains about 120 mg of anthocyanins, a key compound being studied. During each session, participants will fast overnight, have an IV catheter placed for blood sampling before and after consuming the product, and provide urine samples. Blood and urine will be tested for polyphenol levels and antioxidant markers at multiple time points up to 24 hours. The study will also explore links between the results and gut microbiome composition. Participation includes four sessions with detailed monitoring, and the study plans to collect complete data from up to 15 participants.

Bioavailability of Ration Items Containing Tart Cherry Extract