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Citrus Beverages and Gastrointestinal Function

The Effect of Citrus Beverages on Gastrointestinal Function in Healthy Adults: a Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02979496
Acronym
POM
Enrollment
330
Registered
2016-12-01
Start date
2017-02-13
Completion date
2017-04-29
Last updated
2018-10-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

immune, citrus

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of daily intake of orange pomace on gastrointestinal function as measured by stool frequency. Additional outcomes will include aspects of digestive health, diet quality, and fasting blood glucose and lipid concentrations. Possible explanations for the mechanism of the pomace will be explored in microbial ecology analyses.

Detailed description

In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, healthy adults will be asked to consume daily servings of orange juice containing either 0 g (n=120; control) or 180 g (i.e. 10 g fiber; n=120) of orange pomace for 3 weeks to assess the effect of the pomace on stool frequency. Blood samples will be obtained to assess the effect of the pomace on metabolic markers. Stool samples will be collected for analyses of the effect of the pomace on fecal bacteria known to be associated with health benefits (e.g., bifidobacteria). For exploratory analyses, additional groups will be asked to consume orange juice containing 90 g of pomace (i.e. 5 g fiber; n=40) or orange-flavored, calorie-matched water (n=40); outcomes from the water group will be compared to those of the 0 g pomace juice group to assess any effects of the juice alone, and outcomes from the 90 g pomace group will be compared to those of the 180 g and 0 g groups in microbiota analyses.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT0 g pomace (control)

16 oz of juice containing 0 g of citrus pomace will be consumed each day for 3 weeks by participants in the group receiving this assignment (group is unknown, double-blinded)

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT90 g pomace

16 oz of juice containing 90 g of citrus pomace will be consumed each day for 3 weeks by participants in the group receiving this assignment (group is unknown, double-blinded).

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT180 g pomace

16 oz of juice containing 180 g of citrus pomace will be consumed each day for 3 weeks by participants in the group receiving this assignment (group is unknown, double-blinded).

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTFlavored water (control)

16 oz of a flavored, calorie-matched water beverage will be consumed each day for 3 weeks by participants in the group receiving this assignment (group is unknown, double-blinded).

Sponsors

PepsiCo, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
University of Florida
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy adults 18-60 years of age * Willing and able to consume 16 oz. of a citrus beverage daily for the 3-week study intervention * Willing and able to avoid consumption of any orange, grapefruit, tomato or V-8 juice and whole oranges or grapefruits during the two weeks leading up to the study and during the study, not including the study beverage * Willing and able to complete daily questionnaires online regarding dietary intake and general health and well-being, including gastrointestinal habits Note: we will recruit participants who will have Internet access for the duration of the protocol, but understand that, once enrolled, situations may change. If this is the case, paper copies of the online forms will be provided * Willing to discontinue any prebiotic, probiotic, and fiber supplements after consenting * Willing to provide blood via finger prick and a stool sample twice each, once at the beginning and once at the end of the study

Exclusion criteria

* Women who are lactating, know that they are pregnant, or are attempting to get pregnant * Currently being treated for any physician-diagnosed diseases or conditions * Vegetarians/vegans

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Stool FrequencyWeeks -1,0,1,2,3The average number of stools per week compared between intervention groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Stool frequency as a function of stool consistencyChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3The average number of stools per week compared between intervention groups, including Bristol Stool Score category (stool types 1-7 with 1 = hard and 7 = liquid ) as a covariate in the statistical model.
Change in Diarrhea symptom scoreChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3Measured By Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS). Questionnaire asks participants about the previous seven days. Scores range from 1 (no discomfort) to 7 (very severe discomfort); lower scores are more desirable.
Change in Constipation symptom scoreChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3Measured By Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS). Questionnaire asks participants about the previous seven days. Scores range from 1 (no discomfort) to 7 (very severe discomfort); lower scores are more desirable.
Change in Indigestion symptom scoreChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3Measured By Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS). Questionnaire asks participants about the previous seven days. Scores range from 1 (no discomfort) to 7 (very severe discomfort); lower scores are more desirable.
Change in Reflux symptom scoreChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3Measured By Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS). Questionnaire asks participants about the previous seven days. Scores range from 1 (no discomfort) to 7 (very severe discomfort); lower scores are more desirable.
Change in Abdominal pain symptom scoreChange from Weeks -1,0,1,2,3Measured By Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS). Questionnaire asks participants about the previous seven days. Scores range from 1 (no discomfort) to 7 (very severe discomfort); lower scores are more desirable.
Change in Number of bifidobacteria in fecal samplesChange from Weeks 0 and 3Bifidobacteria in fecal samples will be quantified via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and compared between groups.
Change in Fasting blood glucoseChange from Weeks 0 and 3Fasting blood glucose determined by Cholestech assay

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026