There is a wealth of evidence for the powerful antioxidant properties in vitro of flavonoid components of the diet. However, few studies have been undertaken concerning the hydroxycinnamates, major constituents of fruit, some vegetables, beverages, and grains, particularly the extent to which they are absorbed in vivo from the diet. The study described here has investigated the bioavailability of ferulic acid in humans, from tomato consumption, through the monitoring of the pharmacokinetics of excretion in relation to intake. The results show that the peak time for maximal urinary excretion is approximately 7 h and the recovery of ferulic acid in the urine, on the basis of total free ferulic acid and feruloyl glucuronide excreted, is 11-25% of that ingested.