Effects of Betalains on Cardiovascular Health and Quality of Life

Launched by KING'S COLLEGE LONDON · Oct 31, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how betalains, which are natural compounds found in beetroot, may affect heart health, sleep quality, and overall well-being in healthy middle-aged people. The main questions being looked at include whether taking betalains can improve blood flow, enhance sleep, and boost quality of life. Participants in the study will take either a betalain-rich capsule or a placebo (a dummy capsule with no active ingredients) each day for a month. They will also have some simple heart health tests done, wear a fitness tracker to monitor their activity and sleep, and fill out surveys about their quality of life.

To join the study, you need to be between 40 and 65 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9, and own a smartphone. You should also be healthy without any major medical conditions and not involved in another study in the last three months. If you are interested in participating, you can expect to take capsules daily, engage in some light monitoring of your health, and contribute to valuable research that could help improve people's cardiovascular health and quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged between 40 and 65 years
• • BMI between 25-29.9 kg/m2
• • Own a smartphone.
• • Able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent
• • Have not gained or lost more than 10% of body weight (within the past 3 months)
• • Not currently involved or have participated in another biomedical study (within the last 3 months)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Smoking or vaping (within the last 2 years)
• • Vegetarian or vegan (due to capsule material)
• • Medical history of chronic disease \[coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, malignancies, etc\]
• • Grade II hypertension (blood pressure: \>160/100 mmHg)
• • Under medication that can affect the cardiovascular system (within the last 2 months)
• • Taking supplements (except vitamin D and iron) (within the last month)
• • Intolerances or allergies toward beetroots, dragon fruit or rice hulls
• • History of excess alcohol intake or substance abuse.
• • Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months
• • Under hormonal replacement therapy (contraceptives are allowed)