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Cited by 5Doping in SportsPharmacological Effects and AssaysPhytochemical Studies and Bioactivities

Quinoa as phytopharmaceutical? Urinary elimination of ecdysterone after consumption of quinoa alone and in combination with spinach

Open access
Isenmann, Eduard, Yuliandra, Tasha, Touvleliou, Konstantina, Broekmann, Matthias, de la Torre, Xavier, Botrè, Francesco, Diel, Patrick, Parr, Maria Kristina·2024·Archiv der Pharmazie
DOI 10.1002/ardp.202300689
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Abstract

The phytosteroid ecdysterone is classified as an anabolic agent and has been included on the monitoring list of the World Anti‐Doping Agency since 2020. Therefore, the consumption of food rich in ecdysterone, such as quinoa and spinach, is the focus of a lively debate. Thus, the urinary excretion of ecdysterone and its metabolites in humans was investigated following quinoa consumption alone and in combination with spinach. Eight participants (four male and four female) were included, and they ingested 368 ± 61 g cooked quinoa alone and in combination with 809 ± 115 g spinach after a washout. Post‐administration urines were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS. After intake of both preparations, ecdysterone and two metabolites were excreted in the urine. The maximum concentration of ecdysterone ranged from 0.44 to 5.5 µg/mL after quinoa and from 0.34 to 4.1 µg/mL after quinoa with spinach. The total urinary excreted amount as parent drug plus metabolites was 2.61 ± 1.1% following quinoa intake and 1.7 ± 0.9% in combination with spinach. Significant differences were found in the total urinary excreted amount of ecdysterone, 14‐deoxy‐ecdysterone, and 14‐deoxy‐poststerone. Only small portions of ecdysterone from quinoa and the combination with spinach were excreted in the urine, suggesting that both quinoa and spinach are poor sources of ecdysterone in terms of bioavailability.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In eight healthy trained adults, urinary recovery of ecdysterone plus its metabolites was low after cooked quinoa alone and even lower after quinoa combined with spinach, despite higher ecdysterone intake in the combination. The authors conclude quinoa and spinach are poor sources of bioavailable ecdysterone.

Key findings

  • After quinoa alone, ecdysterone maximum urine concentration was 0.44–5.5 µg/mL; after quinoa plus spinach it was 0.34–4.1 µg/mL.
  • Total urinary excreted amount (parent plus metabolites) was 2.60 (1.09)% after quinoa and 1.71 (0.86)% after quinoa plus spinach, with a significant difference between arms (p < 0.05), mainly due to ecdysterone.
  • 14-Deoxy-ecdysterone was detected in all participants, while 14-deoxy-poststerone was found in only 3 of 8 participants, all female.
  • Ecdysterone half-life was 2–5 h, and ecdysterone was almost completely excreted within 24 h by all eight participants in both applications.

Methods

  • Eight healthy, very well-trained subjects (4 female, 4 male; 27 ± 3 years; 174 ± 9 cm; 76 ± 15 kg) ingested cooked quinoa alone (150 g raw quinoa, ~368 ± 61 g cooked; 55.3 mg ecdysterone) and, after ≥1 week washout, cooked quinoa plus sautéed spinach (809 ± 115 g; total 71.6 ± 2.3 mg ecdysterone).
  • Urine was collected until 72 h and analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS for ecdysterone, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone, and 14-deoxy-poststerone; pharmacokinetic parameters and urinary recovery were calculated.
  • Statistical comparisons used paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Limitations

  • Stated: mechanisms of ecdysterone bioavailability from food need further investigation; the gut-microbiota hypothesis for 14-deoxy-ecdysterone requires further human study; possible sex differences in ecdysterone metabolism need confirmation.
  • Evident from the text: the sample was small (8 participants, with only 3 excreting 14-deoxy-poststerone) and showed high interindividual variation; the two food arms differed in matrix and ecdysterone amount, which may confound direct comparison.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/ardp.202300689

Cites

49 of 49 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 11 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    After intake of both preparations, ecdysterone and two metabolites were excreted in the urine.

    “After intake of both preparations, ecdysterone and two metabolites were excreted in the urine.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.3 | Discussion · plain
      “Ecdysterone was excreted and quantified in the urine of all participants after both applications.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Only small portions of ecdysterone from quinoa and the combination with spinach were excreted in the urine.

    “Only small portions of ecdysterone from quinoa and the combination with spinach were excreted in the urine, suggesting that both quinoa and spinach are poor sources of ecdysterone in terms of bioavailability.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.3 | Discussion · plain
      “The intake of ecdysterone either from quinoa alone or in combination with spinach revealed that only a small proportion of ecdysterone and its metabolites were recovered in urine.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Significant differences were found in the total urinary excreted amount of ecdysterone, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone, and 14-deoxy-poststerone.

    “Significant differences were found in the total urinary excreted amount of ecdysterone, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone, and 14-deoxy-poststerone.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The maximum concentration of ecdysterone ranged from 0.34 to 4.1 μg/mL after quinoa with spinach.

    “The maximum concentration of ecdysterone ranged from 0.44 to 5.5 µg/mL after quinoa and from 0.34 to 4.1 µg/mL after quinoa with spinach.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.2 | Urinary excretion of ecdysterone and its metabolites · plain
      “In the concomitant administration with spinach, the maximum concentration was achieved between 4 and 10 h, with the concentration obtained in an almost similar range (0.34-4.1 µg/mL).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The total urinary excreted amount as parent drug plus metabolites was 1.7 ± 0.9% in combination with spinach.

    “The total urinary excreted amount as parent drug plus metabolites was 2.61 ± 1.1% following quinoa intake and 1.7 ± 0.9% in combination with spinach.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.2 | Urinary excretion of ecdysterone and its metabolites · plain
      “and 1.71 (0.86)% after the combined intake with spinach.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 15
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 9

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The maximum excretion rate and the cumulative amount of ecdysterone revealed significant differences between the first intake and the second intake (p < 0.05).

    “On the contrary, the maximum excretion rate and the cumulative amount of ecdysterone revealed significant differences between the first intake and the second intake (p < 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Maximum excretion rate for spinach plus quinoa ingestion was 62-108 μg/h, reached between 3 and 7 h midpoint time.

    “The maximum excretion rate of ecdysterone for quinoa intake was found in the range of 109-307 µg/h in the 1.5-7 h samples (midpoint time), while for spinach plus quinoa ingestion, the maximum excretion rate was lower (62-108 µg/h) and reached between 3 and 7 h midpoint time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The maximum concentration after ingestion of quinoa was only slightly higher than in the combination with spinach, although the combined intake contained more ecdysterone.

    “The maximum concentration after ingestion of quinoa was only slightly higher than in the combination with spinach, although the combined intake contained more ecdysterone.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Maximum concentration of 14-deoxy-poststerone was 0.03-1.9 μg/mL for quinoa intake and 0.07-1.9 μg/mL for combination intake.

    “For the second metabolite, 14-deoxy-poststerone, the maximum concentration in both intakes was highly similar (0.03-1.9 µg/mL for quinoa intake and 0.07-1.9µg/mL for the combination intake).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In second administration, 14-deoxy-ecdysterone maximum excretion rate was 4-61 μg/h achieved in 5-37 h midpoint time.

    “In the second administration, it was at 4-61 µg/h and achieved in the 5-37 h midpoint time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In most subjects, ecdysterone was excreted as the major compound, while a few other participants excreted 14-deoxy-ecdysterone or 14-deoxy-poststerone as the dominant compound.

    “In most subjects, ecdysterone was excreted as the major compound, while a few other participants excreted 14deoxy-ecdysterone or 14-deoxy-poststerone as the dominant compound, indicating the interindividual variation between subjects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Comparing the result with our previous study of a single oral administration of pure ecdysterone, the ecdysterone recovery after quinoa or quinoa and spinach was only 1/8 and 1/19 of the pure ecdysterone intake (without food matrix), respectively.

    “Comparing the result with our previous study of a single oral administration of pure ecdysterone, the ecdysterone recovery after quinoa or quinoa and spinach was only 1/8 and 1/19 of the pure ecdysterone intake (without food matrix), respectively.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Ecdysterone concentrations recorded in this study were similar to those in previous studies with pure ecdysterone.

    “Although similar ecdysterone concentrations were recorded as in previous studies with pure ecdysterone”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The mean (SD) total amount excreted in urine was 2.60 (1.09)% after consumption of quinoa and 1.71 (0.86)% after combined consumption with spinach.

    “As a sum of the parent compound and two metabolites, the mean (SD) total amount excreted in urine was 2.60 (1.09)% after consumption of quinoa and 1.71 (0.86)% after combined consumption with spinach.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A significant difference was observed between the two study arms, which was mainly due to the amount of ecdysterone excreted in the urine.

    “A significant difference was observed between the two study arms, which was mainly due to the amount of ecdysterone excreted in the urine.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Slightly higher urinary recoveries after quinoa ingestion were observed in a pilot project of our research group.

    “Slightly higher urinary recoveries after quinoa ingestion were observed in a pilot project of our research group.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Ecdysterone concentrations depend on the quinoa product and differ significantly.

    “This study showed that the ecdysterone concentrations depend on the quinoa product and differ significantly.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The amount of ecdysteroids in field-grown spinach leaves ranges from 4 to 230 μg/g fresh weight, and in laboratory-grown plants, up to 800 μg/g FW.

    “Similar to quinoa, the amount of ecdysteroids in field-grown spinach leaves ranges from 4 to 230 µg/g fresh weight (FW), and in laboratory-grown plants, up to 800 µg/g FW. [36]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Urinary recoveries of ecdysterone and its metabolites are generally low but even lower if administered as a food ingredient.

    “This underlines that urinary recoveries of ecdysterone and its metabolites are generally low but even lower if administered as a food ingredient.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Even though the dosage of ecdysterone from food in the combined application is higher than that of pure ecdysterone, the maximum concentration obtained from oral administration of pure ecdysterone is considerably higher than with food intake.

    “Even though the dosage of ecdysterone from food in the combined application is higher than that of pure ecdysterone, the maximum concentration obtained from oral administration of pure ecdysterone is considerably higher than with food intake.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies on the bioavailability and excretion of ecdysterone from sautéed spinach and smoothie demonstrated that the maximum concentration of ecdysterone ranged from 0.09 to 0.41 μg/mL after consumption of sautéed spinach and 0.08-0.74 μg/mL after consumption of smoothie.

    “Studies on the bioavailability and excretion of ecdysterone from sautéed spinach and smoothie demonstrated that the maximum concentration of ecdysterone ranged from 0.09 to 0.41 μg/mL after consumption of sautéed spinach and 0.08-0.74μg/mL after consumption of smoothie.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [52] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the German Sport University Cologne (No. 152/2020) and carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki.

    “The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the German Sport University Cologne (No. 152/2020) and carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All participants gave their written consent to participate in the study before the first application.

    “All participants gave their written consent to participate in the study before the first application.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All calibration points were produced in duplicates in the food analysis.

    “All calibration points were produced in duplicates.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All calibration points were prepared in duplicate in the urine analysis.

    “All calibration points were prepared in duplicate.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    All participants were instructed not to consume ecdysterone-containing foods and alcohol before and during the trials.

    “All participants were instructed not to consume ecdysteronecontaining foods and alcohol before and during the trials.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    There was a washout period of at least 1 week between the two applications.

    “There was a washout period of at least 1 week between the two applications.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
22 of 22

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ecdysterone is classified as an anabolic agent.

    “The phytosteroid ecdysterone is classified as an anabolic agent and has been included on the monitoring list of the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2020.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Urinary recovery of ecdysterone and its metabolites is a valid measure of bioavailability.

    “suggesting that both quinoa and spinach are poor sources of ecdysterone in terms of bioavailability.”
    “The result indicates that, in terms of actual bioavailability, both quinoa and spinach are poor sources of ecdysterone.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The eight participants are representative of humans for urinary excretion of ecdysterone.

    “Eight participants (four male and four female) were included, and they ingested 368 ± 61 g cooked quinoa alone and in combination with 809 ± 115 g spinach after a washout.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The washout period was sufficient to eliminate prior ecdysterone.

    “after a washout.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The ecdysterone content measured in raw quinoa is the same as in the cooked quinoa consumed.

    “according to the intake of each subject (equal to 150 g raw quinoa), the participants consumed 55.3 mg of ecdysterone in the first study with only quinoa.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Samples with n = 3 were assumed to be not normally distributed due to a low number of samples.

    “Samples with n = 3 were assumed to be not normally distributed due to a low number of samples.”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Administration of 50 mg pure 20-hydroxyecdysone resulted in approximately 50% recovery in urine.

    “administration of 50 mg of pure 20E resulted in approximately 50% recovery in urine”

    From How reliable is the labeling of a commercial phytosteroid product? A 12-week randomized double-blind training study (2025) · cites this paper as [39]

    The Discussion (section 2.3; page not available in our copy) reports mean urinary recovery of 21.1% (SD 13.3%) after oral intake of pure ecdysterone, not approximately 50%. That passage does not specify a 50 mg dose. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Only 1-3% of 20-hydroxyecdysone and its metabolites are absorbed after consumption of large amounts of spinach and quinoa.

    “only 1–3% of 20E and its metabolites are absorbed.”

    From How reliable is the labeling of a commercial phytosteroid product? A 12-week randomized double-blind training study (2025) · cites this paper as [39]

    Section 2.2 reports that 2.60% of the ingested ecdysterone dose was recovered in urine as ecdysterone and two metabolites after quinoa, and 1.71% after quinoa with spinach. Those figures support the approximate 1–3% range, but they measure urinary excretion, not the proportion absorbed; the paper does not establish that only 1–3% was absorbed. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Discussion gives conflicting significance statements

    Minor

    In the discussion of maximum ecdysterone concentration, the paper first says there was no significant difference between study arms, then says statistical significance was achieved. The intervening explanation concerns urinary concentrations, so these statements conflict as written.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Parr M., 2013, Endocr. Rev., 5, 6
  2. Parr M. K., 2015, Endocr. Rev.
  3. Melzig M. F., 2022, Dtsch. Apoth. Ztg., 22, 42
  4. Shargel L., 2016, Applied Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Isenmann, E., Yuliandra, T., Touvleliou, K., Broekmann, M., de la Torre, X., Botrè, F., Diel, P., & Parr, M. K.
Affiliations
  • German Sport University Cologne (DE)
  • Freie Universität Berlin (DE)
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • Laboratorio Antidoping FMSI Rome Italy
  • Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana (IT)
Corresponding author
Parr, Maria Kristina
ORCID
Venue
Archiv der Pharmazie
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2024-02-24
Volume
357
Issue
6
Pages
e2300689-e2300689
ISSN
  • 0365-6233 (ISSN-L)
  • 1521-4184
DOI
10.1002/ardp.202300689
OpenAlex
W4392139288
Cited by
5
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2
FWCI
3.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Archiv der Pharmazie (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
Funders
World Anti-Doping Agency (20C07MP)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Doping in Sports
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Pharmacological Effects and Assays
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Phytochemical Studies and Bioactivities
Keywords
quinoa, spinach, 20-hydroxyecdysone, urinary excretion, bioavailability
MeSH terms
Adult, Chromatography, Liquid, Female, Humans, Male, Spinacia oleracea, Chenopodium quinoa, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Young Adult

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