Clinical Investigation on the Effects of a Vegetable Juice Treatment

The Use of a Commercial Vegetable Juice as a Practical Means to Increase Vegetable Intake: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of the investigators study is to investigate the impact of a commercial vegetable juice on dietary vegetable intake and select cardiovascular risk factors in a generally healthy population. The study was a 12 week study with 3 groups who received 0, 8 or 16 fluid ounces daily of vegetable juice, along with education on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. All participants came in for 3 study visits at 0, 6 and 12 weeks into the study.

***Inclusion Criteria***

• Age 40 to 65 yrs
• Subject's body mass index is between 18.5 - 34.9 kg/m2
• Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocols
• Subject is willing to consume a vegetable-based beverage daily for three months

***Exclusion Criteria***

• Physical signs of health impairment
• Uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension
• Pregnant or lactating
• Active tuberculosis or lung disease (i.e. COPD)
• Renal or Liver disease
• Heart Disease, which includes Cardiovascular events and Stroke
• Cushing's syndrome
• Exercise trained individuals
• History of psychiatric disorders i.e. schizophrenia or bi-polar or depression treated with antidepressants within the last 1 year
• Anxiety medications
• Use of MAOI inhibitors within the last 1 year (e.g., phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), etc.)
• Quality of life score of 21 or above
• Routine use of prescription drugs or over-the counter medications, which may potentially modulate the outcome of this study; including antibiotics, aspirin and aspirin-containing formulations, COX-2 inhibitors, antihistamines, corticosteroids, erectile dysfunction drugs
• Asthma (can be worsened by mild to moderate food allergies)
• Indications of substance or alcohol abuse within the last 3 years
• The volunteer is undergoing nicotine cessation therapy
• Laboratory values outside the reference range if determined to be clinically significant by Dr. M. Eric Gershwin
• Individuals with known salt-sensitive hypertension
• History of stage 1 high blood pressure defined as systolic > 140 and diastolic > 90, with or without use of HTN medications
• Multi-Vitamin use other than a One-A-Day essential
• Use of herbal or plant-based supplements; omega-3 fatty acids, and fish oils and unwilling to discontinue use while participating in the study
• Allergies to vegetables