Pulse Biomarker Study: Metabolomic Signatures of Dietary Pulses

Who is conducting the study?

Brian Bennett, Ph.D., Research Leader from the Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What is the purpose of this study?

We hope to determine if pulse (beans, peas, and lentils) consumption can be detected using biomarkers in the blood or urine. We hope to identify these biomarkers of pulse consumption.

Where is the study being conducted?

WHNRC, 430 West Health Sciences Drive, University of California, Davis, California, 95616

Who can participate in this study?

• Healthy adults between the ages of 18 – 65 with a BMI (body mass index) of 18-30
• People willing to eat beans, peas, and lentils and provide fasting and post-meal blood draws, urine samples and stool samples
• People willing to visit the WHNRC 15 times during the six-week study

What would exclude me from participating in the study?

• A vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, or other dietary restrictions that prevent you from eating the study foods
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the study
• You are taking medications for diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• You have a history of inflammatory bowel disease, or other GI conditions that would interfere with consuming the foods being studied.

What can I expect to happen during the study?

First, you will be screened for eligibility with a 15-20 minute telephone interview.

Second, if you meet our basic inclusion criteria you will come to the WHNRC for a screening visit so we can fully explain the study to you, get your consent to participate, and conduct a more in-depth assessment of your eligibility. This assessment will include measurements of body weight, height, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, the assessment of veins for blood draws, and a blood draw. This visit will last about 40 - 60 minutes.

If you are determined to be eligible, you will be enrolled in the study. The study lasts 43 days (about 6 weeks). There are approximately 15 study visits during the six weeks, including three test days that last about 7 hours each. The rest of the visits will be shorter and take less than 30 minutes each.

This study has 3 dietary interventions for pulses (beans, peas, and lentils). There is a high-pulse diet, a low-pulse diet, and a control diet which does not contain any pulses. You will be given a week’s worth of food and beverages for each of these three diets.   We will ask you to only eat and drink foods and beverages provided by the study. There are two meal pickups for each 1-week dietary intervention where you will pick up 3-4 days of study foods each time. The final day of each week of eating study foods will be a test day that lasts about 7 hours. You will be asked to provide urine samples and have 5 blood draws throughout the day. After each test day, you may return to your usual diet for one week between dietary interventions.

What is your compensation from this study?

If you fully complete the study, the total compensation is $315.  If you complete only a portion of the study, you will be compensated only for those portions completed.

What should I do if I have questions or want to participate in the study?

Please contact our study line at 530-752-5177, press #3, and leave a message that you are interested in the Pulse study. One of our study team members will contact you to let you know more about the study and answer questions.