The Effect of Capsaicin and Cinnamaldehyde on Intestinal Permeability

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Based on medical history and previous examination, no gastrointestinal complaints can be defined.

2. Age between 18 and 65 years. This study will include healthy adult subjects. Subjects over 65 years have an increased risk for comorbidities, therefore, subjects over 65 years will not be included. Furthermore, age has an influence on the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa [21], which can potentially influence outcome parameters of the study.

3. BMI between 20 and 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of severe cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal/ hepatic, hematological/immunologic, HEENT (head, ears, eyes, nose, throat), dermatological/connective tissue, musculoskeletal, metabolic/nutritional, endocrine, neurological/psychiatric diseases, allergy, major surgery and/or laboratory assessments which might limit participation in or completion of the study protocol. The severity of the disease (major interference with the execution of the experiment or potential influence on the study outcomes) will be decided by the principal investigator.

2. Use of medication, including vitamin supplementation, except oral contraceptives, within 14 days prior to testing

3. Administration of investigational drugs or participation in any scientific intervention study which may interfere with this study (to be decided by the principle investigator), in the 180 days prior to the study

4. Major abdominal surgery interfering with gastrointestinal function (uncomplicated appendectomy, cholecystectomy and hysterectomy allowed, and other surgery upon judgement of the principle investigator)

5. Dieting (medically prescribed, vegetarian, diabetic, macrobiological, biological dynamic), pregnancy, lactation

6. Excessive alcohol consumption (>20 alcoholic consumptions per week)

7. Smoking

8. Blood donation within 3 months before the study period

9. Self-admitted HIV-positive state