Evaluation of Human Zinc Absorption From Wheat-based Meals

The overall goal of study part 1 and 2 is to evaluate and compare the fractional and absolute Zn absorption from biofortified wheat cultivar (60 ppm Zn) to regular wheat (28 ppm Zn) and to post harvest fortified wheat (60 ppm Zn) for a total of 3 test meals per study. The studies will be conducted with products based on wheat with high extraction rate (study part 1) and medium extraction rate (study part 2) in two separate groups of women of childbearing age.

The goal of study part 3 is to investigate the difference of absorption measurements between intrinsically and extrinsically labeled biofortified wheat. The label of the test meals will have the same nature as the fortificant itself (extrinsic vs intrinsic), for a total of 3 test meals.

Inclusion criteria

• Female, 18 to 45 years old (Study part 1 and 2). Female or male, 18 to 45 years old (Study part 3)
• Body Mass Index in the range of 18.5 to 25 kg/m2
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Any metabolic, gastrointestinal kidney or chronic disease such as diabetes, anemia, hepatitis, hypertension, cancer or cardiovascular diseases (according to the subjects own statement)
• Gluten intolerance, celiac disease
• Continuous/long-term use of medication during the whole study (except for contraceptives)
• Vegans
• Consumption of mineral and vitamin supplements within 2 weeks prior to 1st test meal administration
• Smoking
• Pregnancy (Urine pregnancy test shall be performed before each test meal administration)
• Lactating
• Earlier participation in a study using Zn stable isotopes or participation in any other clinical study within the last 30 days