ESAN III - Energy Sensing in Depression

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of carotenoids from natural carrot juice on the immune system. Therefore, the study aims to distinguish the effects of natural juices that are rich in phytonutrients such as carotenoids in healthy and depressive individuals, to explore their potential use in therapeutic settings. The consumption of natural fruit juices rich in polyphenols and carotenoids serves as a model for a vegetarian diet, due to the increased micronutrient density derived from plant-based foods. The results obtained may provide preliminary explanatory models for the beneficial effects of a vegetarian diet. It is hypothesized that the consumption of a natural carotenoid-rich juice alters the expression of regulatory T cells-specific immune cells that contribute to immunomodulation. Furthermore, beneficial changes in the gut microbiome, metabolome, and nutritional status are expected. This study was registered retrospectively (after recruitment had started) on ClinicalTrials.gov.