Scientists are looking for 40 people in Norfolk to take part in a study to investigate whether heart disease risks can be cut through eating pomegranate extract. Researchers at Norwich's Quadram Institute will give up to £350 to people who complete the study - and will also provide them with meals for part of the programme. Scientists want 40 volunteers to help with their research into whether pomegranates can help combat heart disease (Image: Newsquest Archive) The study team is looking for people, who live within 40 miles of Norwich and whose diets include meat to volunteer.
They want to investigate whether extracts from pomegranate fruit can reduce how much of a compound called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is produced. Previous studies have linked a high production of TMAO with increasing heart disease risk. The Quadram Institute (Image: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital) And scientists want to do more research into whether ellagitannins, compounds produced in pomegranates, can reduce TMAO production.
Participants will be asked to follow meal plans and take capsules containing L-carnitine - a nutrient found in meat, fish, dairy and eggs - together with either a placebo or pomegranate extract. READ MORE: Norwich Research Park: What is being invented there? This will allow scientists to compare the impact of a pomegranate extract on the gut microbiome and TMAO production. To be eligible to take part, volunteers must regularly eat four potions of meat per week at leas.