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RICE STUDY

Study title: The effect of unpolished rice consumption on cognitive function and inflammation in adults aged between 50-80 years (RICE study)

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the acute (hours) and short-term (7 days) effects of unpolished rice consumption on cognitive function, inflammation, and blood vessel function in older adults aged 50 - 80 years.

The findings will contribute to our understanding of rice bioactive compounds on the modulation of cognitive function, inflammation and vascular function in humans.

Who can take part?

Inclusion criteria

Should the following apply to you, you will be considered for participation in the trial:

  • Aged 50-80 years
  • General healthy status
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-40 kg/m2

Please note the RICE study is ending soon and no longer recruiting volunteers.

Exclusion criteria

Should any of the following apply to you, you will be unable to participate in the trial:

  • Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, ibuprofen)
  • Having sign of infections or inflammation (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, moderate-severe pain, swelling-redness)
  • Taking dietary supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals) at high doses (e.g., more than 200% of the UK’s reference nutrient intakes)
  • Taking hormone replacement therapy
  • Had major surgery (head, heart, chest, abdomen) within the past 6 months.
  • Diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, current stroke)
  • Diagnosed with psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar depression, eating disorder)
  • Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension (blood pressure above140/90 mmHg), cancer, liver, or kidney diseases.
  • Taking medication to lower blood fats (e.g., statins, fibrates) or to stabilise blood glucose (e.g., acarbose, metformin or sulfonylureas) or lower blood pressure
  • If you have a pacemaker
  • If you have bleeding disorders or blood related diseases (anaemia, thalassemia, thrombosis, embolism)
  • Heavy smoker
  • Heavy alcohol drinking or a substance abuse
  • Allergies, hypersensitivity, or food intolerances (e.g., rice, eggs, soy, vegetable oil)

What will taking part in the study involve?

Online screening

Interested volunteers will be provided with this participant information sheet explaining the nature and requirements of the study. If you are interested in attending the study, you will be asked complete an online health and lifestyle screening questionnaire. Potentially eligible volunteers will be invited to attend a screening visit at the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading.

Screening visit

If you meet the initial study criteria, you will be invited to come to the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition for a screening visit around 2 hours long.

Study visits

The study involves four visits to the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition.

Study contact

Please contact the Hugh Sinclair Clinical Unit nutritionvolunteers@reading.ac.uk  to request further information about the study.