Bioavailability of Ration Items Containing Tart Cherry Extract

Inclusion Criteria

• Active duty military personnel and civilians will be invited to participate in the study if they:

• Are between the ages of 18 (or 17 for military personnel) and 39.
• Are willing to participate in all study procedures and comply with all study instruction.
• In good health as determined by OMSO (Office of Medical Support and Oversight).
• Supervisor approval for federal civilian employees and non-HRV active-duty military personnel stationed at NSSC

Exclusion Criteria

• • Unable to understand verbal or written instructions or testing materials in English.

• Have a bleeding disorder (e.g., von Willebrand Disease, hemophilia) or are being treated with medication that will impair blood clotting (for example, coumadin)
• Have a history of GI-related conditions that may impact macronutrient absorption (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Celiac's disease or gluten sensitivity, bariatric surgery or gastroparesis, short bowel, inflammatory bowel disease, etc…);
• Any use of antibiotics or antifungal, except topical antibiotics/antifungals within 3 months of study participation.
• Colonoscopy within 3 months of study participation.
• Regular (i.e., weekly or more frequent) use of over-the-counter medications (including antacids, laxatives, stool softeners, and antidiarrheals) unless approved by OMSO and study PI.
• Are habitually taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., Advil, aspirin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) or immunosuppressants (e.g. Humira);
• Have an allergy or aversion (extreme dislike) to any of the test foods(e.g., cherry flavored beverages or bar). Allergy symptoms may include anaphylaxis, hives or eczema, tingling/itching in the mouth, dizziness or fainting, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat).
• Have donated blood within the past 8 weeks of the first test session or plan to donate blood during the study.
• Are not willing to abstain from tobacco products and vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours" before each trial and consume a low-polyphenol diet two days prior to each test session and on the day of the test session.