Adding polyphenol-rich pulses to your daily diet to improve skin health

To Determine Whether Adding Polyphenol-rich Pulses to Daily Diet Improves Skin Health by Reshaping the Skin Microbiome and Lipids, and Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Women

Not applicable Interventional University of Florida · NCT06538415

This 12-week test will see if adding a daily serving of polyphenol-rich pulses improves skin health in women aged 45–65.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages45 Years to 65 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT06538415 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, parallel-design dietary trial will enroll about 48–50 women aged 45–65 and compare a daily serving of cooked mixed polyphenol-rich pulses (lentils, red kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans) against a white rice control diet over 12 weeks. Researchers will measure skin appearance and barrier function, analyze skin microbiome and epidermal lipids, and track markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. The trial will look for correlations between changes in the microbiome/lipids and improvements in skin measures. Participants must meet BMI and skin-type criteria and attend in-person visits at the trial site.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are women aged 45–65 with BMI 18.5–29.9, body weight ≥110 pounds, Fitzpatrick skin types I–III, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and able to follow the assigned diet and attend visits in Gainesville, FL.

Not a fit: People with impaired fasting glucose, frequent alcohol use, a history of skin cancer, habitual high fruit intake, use of medications or supplements that affect outcomes, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those outside the specified skin types or BMI range may not benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding polyphenol-rich pulses could improve visible skin appearance and barrier function and lower markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data showed six weeks of cranberry juice improved some skin measures and correlated with microbiome changes, but direct clinical evidence for polyphenol-rich pulses affecting human skin is currently lacking.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI (18.5-29.9)
* Body weight ≥110 pounds
* Fitzpatrick skin type 1,2 and 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnancy
* breast-feeding
* impaired fasting glucose
* frequent alcohol use
* history of skin cancer
* sunbathing and the use of tanning bed, intake of vitamin/mineral supplements
* habitual high intake of fruits (≥ 2 cups daily)
* intake of medication that might influence the outcome of the study

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HealthyPulseWomenSkin health
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.