Novel Metabolites of Beta-Carotene and Lycopene

The study (n = 36) will be a parallel design and will be 6 weeks in duration. Participants will start with a 2-week free-living wash-in period where they will be asked to avoid certain carotenoid-rich foods, followed by 4 weeks of a completely controlled diet. In addition to the controlled diet, participants will consume one of three beverages (300 mL/day; n = 12/group): placebo beverage (control), high beta-carotene tomato juice, and high-lycopene tomato juice. Blood, urine and feces will be collected throughout the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 21 or greater than 75 years
• Glucose > 126 mg/dl
• Triglycerides > 300 mg/dl
• Known allergy or intolerance to tomatoes or tomato products
• Pregnant, lactating, or intend to become pregnant during the study period
• History of bariatric surgery or nutrient malabsorption disease (such as celiac disease) or other metabolic disorders requiring special diet recommendations
• Smoker or use of tobacco products
• Presently have cancer
• Use of certain medications (prescription or over-the-counter) that may interfere with the study objectives
• Type 2 diabetes
• Use of blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin (warfarin), Dicumarol, or Miradon (anisindione)
• Unable or unwilling to give informed consent or communicate with study staff
• Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months and/or current acute treatment or rehabilitation program for these problems (long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion)
• Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol