Melatonin-Sprayed fruits: a new superfood?

NCT ID NCT07192835

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether treating fruits like lemons, blood oranges, and cherries with melatonin before harvest helps the body absorb more healthy plant compounds. Twenty-two healthy adults drank juice from treated or untreated fruits and provided urine samples to measure absorption. The goal is to see if this simple farming step could make fruits even healthier.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Melatonin-treated fruit juice (lemon, blood orange, or sweet cherry)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that preharvest melatonin treatment of fruits enhances the body's uptake of beneficial plant compounds, potentially improving dietary strategies for health.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with only 22 healthy participants, so results may not apply to the general population. The focus is on absorption, not on treating any disease.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for DIETARY BIOAVAILABILITY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DIETARY BIOAVAILABILITY HEALTHY MELATONIN PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS PLANT EXTRACTS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Miguel Hernandez

Orihuela, Alicante/Alacant, 03312, Spain

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.