This study aims to explore the gene expression and metabolic changes that are mediated by consumption of Indigenous chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) in adult urban American Indians and to examine the associations between metabolic endpoints, adverse childhood experiences and mental health. The investigators are doing this research study to answer questions about the impact of adult urban American Indians ingesting one of their traditional Indigenous foods called chokeberry on epigenetic, metabolic and mental health markers of trauma and resilience.~For this study, the investigators will be looking to determine:~If there are gene expression changes that are mediated by consumption of traditional Indigenous chokeberry in urban adult Great Plains Indians.~If there are associations between secondary outcomes such as metabolic endpoints (i.e., 8-OHdG, IL-6, lipids, glucose, CRP, blood pressure), epigenetic states, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health (historical trauma, resiliency, presence of anxiety and depression) in American Indians who have or have not consumed chokeberry as part of a controlled feeding study.
American Indian populations continue to suffer disproportionately from health problems including such nutrition-related chronic diseases as diabetes and heart disease. This research project will therefore investigate how a traditional Indigenous food called chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) impacts epigenetic and metabolic health in relation to resiliency markers in American Indian participants. The process of research with American Indian communities is significant in that it can inform best practices in community engagement orientations, approaches, and models in future research settings.