NCT04339114

Brief Summary

Scientific evidence is growing on the health benefits of herbs/spices. The study is interested in understanding how various herb and spice blends influence the function of blood vessels. The study is also interested in how blood sugar, the insulin hormone and immune cells may be related to how well the blood vessels function. Herbs and spices have components called phytochemicals that may be related to how well blood vessels function. The study is planned to investigate these relationships. After qualifying to participate in the research study, participants will be asked to come to the Clinical Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) for four on-site Study Days, each lasting for about 8 hours with a 40 min followup to measure vessels' function the next morning. On each Study Day, different amounts of herbs/spices will be included in a breakfast meal. The herbs and spices are purchased in the grocery store and are Italian herbs, cinnamon, and a mix of pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg). All meals will be prepared in the CNRC's kitchen using foods and ingredients purchased at the local grocery store. Blood collection and blood vessel function tests will be performed during the Study Day using typical procedures used in hospitals, doctor offices, and clinics.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
28

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2019

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 18, 2019

Completed
12 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 6, 2020

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

April 9, 2020

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 1, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 1, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

July 27, 2021

Status Verified

July 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

1.8 years

First QC Date

April 6, 2020

Last Update Submit

July 26, 2021

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • To characterize the time course of herbs/spice action on endothelial function as measured by Flow Mediated Vasodilation (FMD) over 24 h using a challenge meal paradigm individualized per subject energy requirements to maintain body weight.

    Flow mediated vasodilation (FMD): Ultrasound imaging of the brachial artery is a non-invasive technique that assesses endothelial-dependent relaxation and is used as a surrogate marker of large vessel (macrovascular) endothelial function. FMD will be studied in the brachial (arm) artery of all subjects using standardized methods recommended by the American College of Cardiology

    Baseline(T0)-24 hours

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Changes in plasma glucose concentration-response between 4 treatments

    Baseline(T0)-24 hours

  • Changes in plasma insulin concentration-response between 4 treatments

    Baseline(T0)-24 hours

  • Changes in inflammation signaling response between 4 treatments

    Baseline (T0)-7 hours

Other Outcomes (1)

  • To assess effects of herbs/spices on inflammatory markers

    Baseline (T0)-24 hours

Study Arms (4)

Control meal

SHAM COMPARATOR

Pancake

Other: Breakfast: control meal

Control meal + Cinnamon

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Pancake seasoned with cinnamon

Other: Breakfast: Cinnamon meal

Control meal + Italian herb mix

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Pancake seasoned with Italian herb mix

Other: Breakfast: Italian herbs meal

Control meal + Active-Herbs/Spice mix

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Pancake seasoned with pumpkin spice

Other: Breakfast: pumpkin spice

Interventions

The breakfast meal includes a Taiwanese style pancake plus a side of hash browns with ketchup. Every meal will be individualized to meet the 30% of the energy requirement of subjects based on the Harris benedict equation.

Control meal

The breakfast meal includes a Taiwanese style pancake seasoned with grounded cinnamon plus a side of hash browns with ketchup. Every meal will be individualized to meet the 30% of the energy requirement of subjects based on the Harris benedict equation.

Control meal + Cinnamon

The breakfast meal includes a Taiwanese style pancake seasoned with Italian herbs plus a side of hash browns with ketchup. Every meal will be individualized to meet the 30% of the energy requirement of subjects based on the Harris benedict equation.

Control meal + Italian herb mix

The breakfast meal includes a Taiwanese style pancake seasoned with pumpkin spices plus a side of hash browns with ketchup. Every meal will be individualized to meet the 30% of the energy requirement of subjects based on the Harris benedict equation.

Control meal + Active-Herbs/Spice mix

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Body Mass Index between 25 and 35 kg/m2
  • Aged over 18 years old
  • Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures
  • Willing to maintain stable body weight and follow his/her habitual diet and physical activity patterns throughout the trial.
  • People with no documented disease condition that would interfere with the study endpoints (ie., Cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, hypertension (diagnosed high blood pressure), major organ diseases) or taking medication or dietary supplements that may interfere with study endpoints.
  • Judged by the Investigator to be in general good health on the basis of medical history and screening laboratory tests.
  • Premenopausal women are studied at the same time of the month during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle (first 14 days of cycle).

You may not qualify if:

  • Current smoker and/or marijuana user, past smokers may be allowed in the study if stopped \>2 years
  • Have a history or presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, diabetes mellitus, or other systemic diseases, psychological or psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study outcomes
  • Unstable use of any medication/supplement - Have a history of cancer, except for non-melanoma skin cancer within past 5 years
  • Addicted to drugs and/or alcohol (\>4 drinks/day)
  • Have been exposed to any non-registered drug product within last 30 days.
  • Working overnight (e.g. 3rd shift of overnight workers)
  • Have allergies/intolerances to cinnamon, Italian herbs, or other spices or study foods
  • Excessive exercisers or trained athletes
  • Extreme dietary habits (i.e., vegan)
  • Excessive coffee/tea drinker (\> 4cups/day)
  • Actively losing weight/ trying to lose weight (unstable body weight fluctuations of \> 5 kg in 3 months)
  • Donated blood within last 3 months
  • Female who is pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • The individual has a condition the Investigator believes would interfere with his or her ability to provide informed consent or comply with the study protocol, or which might confound the interpretation of the study results or put the person at undue risk.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Clinical Nutrition Research Center

Chicago, Illinois, 60616, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

OverweightObesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OvernutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesBody WeightSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D

    Illinois Insititute of Technology

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
INDUSTRY
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 6, 2020

First Posted

April 9, 2020

Study Start

April 18, 2019

Primary Completion

February 1, 2021

Study Completion

February 1, 2021

Last Updated

July 27, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-07

Locations