Effect of spices on urinary calcium and serum vitamin A levels in adult women

Seven healthy women volunteers were fed three experimental diets containing mixed spice powder at 0.5% level and red chilli powder at two levels i.e., at 1.25% and 2.5% each for a period of 7 days. The results showed signific antly (F>0.01) lower levels of urinary calcium (107.96+/-6.88 mg/24 h) in s ubjects, fed diets containing mixed spice and higher levels (175.01+/-4.12 mg/24 h and 205.28+/-6.58 mg/24 h) on red chilli powder diet at 1.25 and 2. 5% levels as compared to control diet without spice (133.50+/-8.18 mg/24 h) . Similarly, serum vitamin A levels showed non-significant (F>0.01) higher levels (25.16+/-6.08 mu g/dl and 26.28+/-6.89 mu g/dl) with mixed spice die t at 0.5% and red chilli powder diet at 1.25% as compared to those obtained on control diet (22.71+/-6.30 mu g/dl). However, the levels were lower wit h red chilli powder diet (18.30+/-5.39 mu g/dl) at 2.5% compared to those o btained on control diet.