Actively Recruiting
Bioavailability of Ration Items Containing Tart Cherry Extract
Led by United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine · Updated on 2025-12-29
15
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to understand how eating shelf-stored tart cherry products affects the body's 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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Bioavailability of Ration Items Containing Tart Cherry Extract
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Active duty military personnel or civilians aged 18 to 39 (17 allowed for military personnel)
- Willing to participate in all study procedures and follow study instructions
- In good health as confirmed by medical support office
- Supervisor approval required for federal civilian employees and certain military personnel
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to understand instructions or testing materials in English
- Have bleeding disorders or take blood clotting medications
- History of gastrointestinal conditions affecting nutrient absorption
- Use of antibiotics or antifungal medications (except topical) within 3 months
- Underwent colonoscopy within 3 months
- Regular use of certain over-the-counter medications unless approved
- Habitual use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants
- Allergy or strong dislike to test foods, including cherry-flavored products
- Donated blood within 8 weeks before first test session or plan to donate during study
- Unwilling to avoid tobacco and vigorous exercise 24 hours before each trial and follow a low-polyphenol diet before sessions
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 sessions with 5-day washout periods in between each
Participants consume four different food products containing tart cherry components and a control item over four separate sessions with a five-day washout period between each session. On each session day, blood samples are collected before and after consumption to measure polyphenol concentrations and antioxidant capacity.
4 in-person visits for experimental sessions plus blood sample collections on the day of and the day after each session
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
USARIEM
Natick, Massachusetts, United States, 01760
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tracey J Smith, PhD
R
Robert Roussel, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
4
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