Sweet Corn for Carotenoids

Overseen By Wendy J Dahl, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Florida

Must not be taking: Laxatives, Antidiarrheals, Antibiotics

Disqualifiers: Corn allergy, Intestinal disease, Vegetarian, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how daily consumption of sweet corn affects certain nutrients in the blood and skin, as well as gut health. It compares the effects of yellow and white sweet corn on lutein and zeaxanthin levels—nutrients important for eye health—and observes changes in gut bacteria and digestion over four weeks. Suitable participants are adults without a corn allergy, not following a vegetarian diet, and without major gut-related health issues. Participants must also be willing to eat 1.5 cups of either type of corn each day. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to nutritional science and potentially enhance personal health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are using laxatives, antidiarrheal medications, or have used antibiotics within a month before the screening.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that yellow sweet corn is generally safe to eat. Many people enjoy it regularly as a common food. Studies have found that yellow sweet corn is rich in carotenoids, nutrients also present in many fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin are safe when consumed in normal food amounts.

No reports indicate harmful side effects from including yellow sweet corn in a regular diet. However, it's important to follow any specific guidelines for the trial, such as daily consumption amounts. Overall, yellow sweet corn is well-tolerated and safe for most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they explore the potential of using yellow sweet corn to boost carotenoid levels in the body. Unlike standard dietary sources of carotenoids, such as carrots and leafy greens, yellow sweet corn offers a tasty and versatile alternative that people might find easier to incorporate into their daily diets. Carotenoids are important for eye health and overall wellness, and having a new source could make it simpler for more people to get the benefits. Additionally, since the trial compares yellow sweet corn with white sweet corn, it provides valuable insights into how different varieties of corn can affect carotenoid absorption and bioavailability.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for increasing serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations?

Research has shown that yellow sweet corn, which participants in this trial may consume, contains beneficial nutrients called carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients act as antioxidants, protecting the eyes and skin. One study found that yellow corn is rich in these nutrients, especially lutein. Thus, consuming yellow sweet corn could increase these beneficial nutrients in the body. Participants in another arm of this trial will consume white sweet corn. Although information on white sweet corn is lacking, the high carotenoid content in yellow sweet corn suggests it could effectively boost these nutrients. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who can consent in English and are willing to follow the study's procedures. They should have a Veggie Meter score of ≤ 250, indicating lower levels of skin carotenoids.

Inclusion Criteria

My Veggie Meter score is 250 or less.

I can read and sign the consent form in English.

I am willing to follow the study's procedures.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 1.5 cups of either yellow or white sweet corn daily to assess serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, skin carotenoid levels, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• White Sweet Corn
• Yellow Sweet Corn

Trial Overview The study compares the effects of daily consumption of yellow versus white sweet corn on serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, skin carotenoid levels, gastrointestinal health, and fecal microbiota over four weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Yellow Sweet Corn Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

1.5 cups of yellow sweet corn daily

Group II: White Sweet Corn Placebo Group 1 Intervention

1.5 cups of white sweet corn daily

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,428

Recruited

987,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11545591/

Carotenoid and Phenolic Compositions and Antioxidant ... The highest lutein and zeaxanthin contents were both observed in yellow corn husks. Lutein dominates in yellow corn, ranging from 494.5 μg/g dw to 2870.8 μg/g ...

2. acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tpg2.20008

Natural variation for carotenoids in fresh kernels is controlled ... A genome-wide association study of seven kernel carotenoids and twelve derivative traits was conducted in a sweet corn inbred line association ...

3. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9717/10/8/1616

From Sweet Corn By-Products to Carotenoid-Rich ... In the present study, carotenoids were recovered from processing sweet corn by-products (SCB). The total carotenoid content determined in the SCB extract was 1 ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466856407000422

Physical properties and carotenoid content of maize ... During this work we have determined that an average 36% loss of provitamin A and an 8% increase in tryptophan were observed following nixtamalization and ...

5. termedia.pl termedia.pl/Journal/-99/pdf-56986-10?filename=Baranowska%20et%20al.pdf

Carotenoid content in sweet corn kernels Sweet corn contains an elevated level of carotenoids compared to the grains of other cereal species [36]. Carotenoids perform various ...

6. lpi.oregonstate.edu lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids

Carotenoids | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University Sweet yellow corn, boiled, 1 cup, 1.4. Avocado, raw, 1 fruit, 0.5. Egg, cooked, 1 large, 0.2. Red sweet pepper, raw, 1 cup, 0.08. For more information on the ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8025354/

From carotenoid intake to carotenoid blood and tissue ... However, agencies in the United Kingdom have proposed safe upper intake levels for supplemental carotenoid intake (7 mg/day for β-carotene33), whereas the ...

8. healthline.com healthline.com/nutrition/is-corn-good-for-you

Is Corn Good for You? Nutrition Facts and More One cup (164 grams) of sweet yellow corn contains (5):. Calories: 177 calories; Carbs: 41 grams; Protein: 5.4 grams; Fat: 2.1 grams; Fiber: 4.6 ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453018301009

Corn phytochemicals and their health benefits Yellow corn is rich in carotenoids (up to 823 μg/100 g DW corn) including lutein (50%), zeaxanthin (40%), β-cryptoxanthin (3%), β-carotene (4%), and α-carotene( ...