The Bioavailability of Red Clover Isoflavones

The aim of this study is to elucidate the effects food matrices and processing on the bioavailability of active compounds on the bioavailability of red clover derived isoflavones. 20 healthy participants will receive red clover derived isoflavones in five different formulations. The five formulations are split up into five phases:

Phase 1) Fermented extract in liquid form Phase 2) Fermented extract (freeze-dried) in capsule form Phase 3) Fermented extract (freeze-dried) in tablet form Phase 4) Fermented extract (concentrated) mixed in yogurt Phase 5) Un-fermented red clover in capsule or tablet form The trial will last 5-6 weeks for each participant. Plasma sample collection will take place both pre-and post- ingestion of a formulation, participants will receive blood tests at intervals -15 min, 0 min, 2hr, 4hr, 6hr, 8hr and 12hr (on the day of ingestion) and on the subsequent two mornings (24hr and 48hr) following the initiation of a phase. There will be a minimum. 5 day intervals between all phases (washout periods). Isoflavones biochanin A, formononetin, genistein and daidzein present in plasma will be detected using HPLC-MS for each phase, thus creating a bioavailability curve that can be compared to each of the other phases. The primary endpoint is to determine whether fermented extract is more bioavailable than unfermented extract.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy women
• Age: 18-40 years

Exclusion criteria

• Habitual intake of soy products, chickpeas or other supplements with a high content of isoflavones
• Hormone therapy
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Taking drugs affecting uptake
• Participation in other clinical trials within the last 3 months
• Severe cardiovascular, psychiatric, neurological and / or kidney disease
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Acute illness