Effect of sugar and blackcurrant consumption on the health properties in healthy adults

This trial is aimed at assessing how sugar consumption influences blackcurrant metabolism and antioxidant properties. The trial is a parallel design. This design was selected since the influence of sugar consumption of the time-dependent bioactivity of blackcurrant-derived polyphenolic compounds within the body is currently unknown; a parallel trial design will eliminate any potential problems from a cross-over design. Participants will be randomised into 3 trial arms; arm 1 will consume a 200 mL blackcurrant drink containing a whole blackcurrant extract equivalent to 3.2 mg polyphenolic compounds /Kg diluted in water, arm 2 will consume a blackcurrant drink (containing the same amount of blackcurrant extract described for arm 1) containing 40 g sucrose and arm 3 will consume a blackcurrant drink (containing the same blackcurrant extract described for arm 1) and then 1 hr later will consume a 200 ml sugar drink containing 40 g sucrose. The blackcurrant extract and sucrose was commercially sourced from Sujon Berries (New Zealand) and Healtheries (New Zealand) and dinks were prepared under New Zealand food safety requirements. The trial will take place in designated clinical facilitates within PFR and will be conducted by experience trial co-ordinators, who are also First Aider and trained phlebotomist. The trial co-ordinator will monitor the welfare of participants and ensure that they adhere to trial arm protocols. Participants will be randomised into one of the trial three arms. In all three trial arms a venous blood sample (~ 15 mL) will be taken prior to the consumption blackcurrant +/- sugar drinks, in trial arms 1 and 2, after the consumption of the drinks, blood samples will be collected at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hrs post consumption. In trial 3, blood samples will be taken after both the consumption of the blackcurrant drink and then 1 hr later after the consumption of the sugar drink. In addition, further blood samples will be taken at 2, 3 and 4 hr after the consumption of the initial blackcurrant drink.