Orange tomatoes may pack a bigger nutritional punch than red ones
NCT ID NCT01696773
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether tangerine tomatoes, which have a different form of lycopene, are more easily absorbed by the body than red tomatoes. Twelve healthy adults will drink either tangerine or red tomato juice and have their blood tested over 12 hours. The goal is to see which type provides more carotenoids and flavonoids, which are linked to health benefits.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- tangerine tomato juice and red tomato juice
- What this could lead to
- If tangerine tomatoes are better absorbed, this could point toward ways to boost the nutritional value of tomato products.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study with only 12 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It looks at absorption, not health outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Oct 2012
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Total cholesterol ≤200 mg/dL * Triglycerides ≤ 200mg/dL * BMI 18.5 to 30.0kg/m2 * Not anemic (hemoglobin at or above 10g/dL and hematocrit at or above 30%) * Age 18-70 years Exclusion Criteria: * Lactating, pregnant, or plan to be pregnant during study * Tobacco (cigarettes and chewing tobacco) * Metabolic disease, such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid dysfunction * Malabsorption disorders (e.g. ileus, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, pancreatic insufficiency) * History of cancer, esophageal, gastric, or intestinal ulcers * History of liver or kidney insufficiency or failure * Auto-immune disorders * Chronic inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) * Allergies to tomatoes or tomato products * Obesity (BMI \> 30kg/m2) or underweight (BMI \<18.5kg/m2) * Hypercholesterolemia (Total cholesterol \> 200 mg/dL) * Triglycerides \> 200mg/dL * Subjects taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol, Aleve) for 72 hours prior to each day-long visit. * Anemia (hemoglobin below 10g/dL or hematocrit below 30%) * Blood donation within the last 8 weeks
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Ohio State University Clinical Research Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States