4.2. Participants
chronic illness, hypertension, diabetes
GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES, CHRONIC ILLNESS, ALLERGY TO FRUIT, HYPERTENSION, DIABETES
Participants were recruited through public advertisements (posters and leaflets) displayed around and in proximity to the campus. Inclusion criteria were as follows: healthy, i.e., with no known health problems; and age between 18–60 years. Exclusion criteria included smoking, pregnancy or lactation, previous diagnosis of any chronic illness (including diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases, etc.), long-term prescribed medical therapy (except contraceptives), and allergy to fruits, vegetables, pollen, seafood, or seaweed. In addition, the study also excluded individuals who followed a specific diet or dietary regimen for weight management or engaged in regular consumption of fruit and herbal extract supplements. Additionally, individuals who had donated blood within four weeks prior to the study, intended to donate blood during the study, or planned to donate blood less than four weeks after the last study visit were also excluded. Participation in another trial involving dietary intervention or blood sampling was also considered an exclusion criterion. Participants were assessed for eligibility and recruited on an ongoing basis to complete the study with 16 subjects.