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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06972927

VertiGreens Investigating the Effects of Iron Biofortification of Microgreens on Iron Status in Women

The investigators present a pilot diet intervention study, to be conducted as a within-subject design, to assess the feasibility of iron biofortified microgreens on iron intake and status in women of reproductive age and postmenopausal women. This will be investigated by providing smoothie kits for 28 days containing these microgreens and determining the impact on iron biomarkers. The investigators will also assess habitual diet, BMI, physical activity and gastrointestinal symptoms. This study will be a proof-of-concept exploratory study to explore diet based biofortification through vertical farming systems.

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Key information

Conditions

Iron Biomarkers/Status

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom

About this study

In this study microgreens that were grown using agronomic iron biofortification will be supplied to women to add to their diet to establish the potential nutritional impact of iron biofortified microgreens on overall iron intake and iron status. Furthermore, it will assess the adherence to the provided consumption recommendations of the biofortified crops.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy females
  • 15 of reproductive age (18-49)
  • 15 postmenopausal (not had their period for an entire year)

Exclusion criteria

Medication exclusion criteria:

  • Supplementing iron or vitamin B12
  • Smoking or vaping
  • Taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) except for Aspirin 75mg

Medical exclusion criteria:

  • Anyone who is planning to be pregnant, is pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Anyone with iron or vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia
  • Anyone with history of anaemia in the past 3 months that required treatment
  • Anyone who has Hb <120 g/L (12 g/dL) at screening
  • Anyone with food allergies to banana, mango, pineapple, coconut
  • Anyone with coeliac disease
  • Anyone suffering from a psychiatric disorder or any type of substance abuse
  • Anyone with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes
  • Anyone suffering from unregulated thyroid disease
  • Anyone with gastrointestinal conditions or bariatric surgery
  • Anyone with haematological conditions including Thrombocytopaenia and Sickle cell anaemia

Other exclusion criteria:

  • Anyone with unsuitable veins for blood sampling
  • Anyone who donated blood in the last 16 weeks
  • Anyone who is unable to fluently speak, read and understand English

Treatment and study plan

Smoothie containing iron biofortified microgreens

Other

30g of iron biofortified microgreens consumed within a smoothie for 28 days

Primary outcomes

  1. Haemoglobin status change from baseline

    Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

    Iron status changes in haemoglobin

  2. Serum iron status change from baseline

    Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

    Iron status changes in serum iron

  3. Ferritin status change from baseline

    Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

    Iron status changes in ferritin

  4. CRP change from baseline

    Time frame: Measured at study day 1 and on study day 28

    Changes in CRP

  5. Dietary iron intake changes compared to habitual diet

    Time frame: every study day (28 days)

    Dietary iron intake changes in iron intake compared to habitual diet measured though food diaries

Secondary outcomes

  1. Serum Vitamin B12 status change from baseline

    Time frame: Measured on study day 1 and on study day 28

    Vitamin B12 status changes

  2. Adherence to consumption of microgreens/smoothie

    Time frame: every study day (28 days)

    intake measured through food diaries

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Aberdeen

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
May 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.