Description

In a postprandial study, cardiometabolic health outcomes will be assessed on each 3-hour test day, comprising the consumption of one challenge meal enriched with any of the three indigenous fruits and vegetables. The three indigenous fruits and vegetables will include: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus), Solanum anguivi (Forest bitter berries), and Tamarindus indica (Tamarind). A preliminary sensory evaluation involving the freeze-dried indigenous fruits and vegetable powder prototypes was conducted. The prototypes were formulated based on fruit pulp, vegetable and calyx proportions (25g, 50g and 100g). The prototypes were subjected to a sensory evaluation (acceptability and preference tests) using untrained panellists (n = 10). After the sensory study, the 25g prototypes had the highest scores. However, due to variation in polyphenol profiles in the three indigenous fruits and vegetable powders, the 50g prototypes were selected to ensure an adequate polyphenol dose. The study participants will be randomly allocated to consume one challenge meal enriched with one of the three indigenous fruit and vegetable-based powders on each study day. There will be an additional two reference challenge meals administered to determine within-subject variability. A 5 to 7-day washout period will be observed between each postprandial study to prevent any carryover effect. The participants in the study will not be informed of the ingredients in the challenge meals. The total study duration will be 5 weeks. Measurements will be performed on each study visit.