Zinc and Iron Absorption From Common Beans in Young Adult Women

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS · Mar 18, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how well young adult women absorb zinc and iron from different types of common beans. Beans are a healthy food choice, but they contain certain natural substances, like phytates and polyphenols, that can make it harder for our bodies to absorb these important minerals. The researchers want to find out if the variety of beans affects how much zinc and iron is absorbed by the body.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be healthy women aged 18 to 35 who have regular menstrual cycles and eat beans at least four times a month. They should not have any allergies to beans, significant medical conditions, or be currently pregnant or breastfeeding. If you join the study, you will help researchers learn more about how to improve mineral absorption from beans, which could benefit many people’s diets. Participants will be involved in a variety of study procedures and will be closely monitored throughout the trial.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Healthy eumenorrheic (regular monthly menstrual cycles of 25-30-days in length)
• • BMI 18.5 - 30 kg/m2
• • Regular consumer of beans, i.e. ≥ 4 servings per month
• • Usual iron intake estimated by Food Frequency Questionnaire to be less than the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 18 mg/d (8)
• • Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocols.
• • Subject is willing to participate in all study procedures.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Dislike or allergy to beans
• • Self-reported current or recent pregnancy (within the past 12 months)
• • Self-reported recent termination of pregnancy (3 months if abortion in 1st or 2nd trimester, or 12 months if in 3rd trimester)
• • Self-reported plans to become pregnant during the study period
• • Self-reported cancer
• • Self-reported surgery without the past 12 months
• • Currently taking prescription drugs, other than for contraception, or any nutritional supplements
• • Any daily iron supplementation within the past 12 months.
• • Currently breastfeeding
• • Any medical conditions affecting iron or zinc metabolism (such as hemochromatosis or sickle cell disease)