Wild Rice for Cardiovascular Health

Overseen By Mohammed H Moghadasian, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Must not be taking: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Cancer

Disqualifiers: Pregnant, Lactating, Smokers, Obese

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

48 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

In this study 24 adult males and adult females, with overall healthy condition, will consume approximately 30 grams of wild rice every day for 28 days. Cardiovascular risk factors will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants are not currently on any medications for cardiovascular, diabetes, and cancer diseases.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Wild Rice for cardiovascular health?

Research shows that wild rice can help prevent atherosclerosis (a condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances) in mice by reducing inflammation and cholesterol levels. It also has antioxidant properties and is rich in nutrients, which may contribute to its heart health benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is wild rice safe for human consumption?

Wild rice is generally considered safe for human consumption and is recognized as a health-promoting food by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is rich in nutrients and has been shown to have antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties in experimental settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment wild rice differ from other treatments for cardiovascular health?

Wild rice is unique because it is a whole grain rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels, potentially preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Unlike many standard treatments, wild rice is a natural dietary option that can be easily incorporated into meals. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Research Team

Mohammed H Moghadasian, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy men and women aged between 20 to 40 years old. Participants will be required to consume wild rice daily, so they should not have any known allergies or dietary restrictions that prevent them from eating this food.

Inclusion Criteria

I am healthy.

I am female.

I am male.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-smokers

Non-pregnant

Non-lactating

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume approximately 30 grams of wild rice every day for 28 days

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Wild Rice

Trial Overview The study investigates the cardiovascular benefits of consuming approximately 30 grams of wild rice every day for a period of 28 days. Researchers will measure participants' heart health factors before and after the trial.

Participant Groups

Group I: Wild rice Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will consume one serving of the test food containing wild rice every day over 28 days.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving LDL-receptor-deficient mice fed a diet containing wild rice for 24 weeks, significant reductions in atherosclerotic lesions were observed, with a decrease of 71% in male mice and 61% in female mice compared to controls.

Wild rice consumption also led to notable reductions in plasma cholesterol levels (15% in males, 40% in females) and increased fecal cholesterol excretion by up to 34%, suggesting its potential as a dietary intervention for lowering cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) prevents atherogenesis in LDL receptor knockout mice. Surendiran, G., Goh, C., Le, K., et al.[2013]

Wild rice is a nutrient-rich whole grain that is low in fat and high in minerals, vitamins, protein, and dietary fiber, making it a health-promoting food recognized by the US FDA.

Recent studies suggest that wild rice has antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties, as well as potential cardiovascular benefits, although more research is needed to confirm these clinical effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional constituents and health benefits of wild rice (Zizania spp.). Surendiran, G., Alsaif, M., Kapourchali, FR., et al.[2018]

In a study involving LDLr-KO mice fed a cholesterol-supplemented diet for 20 weeks, wild rice was found to inhibit monocyte adhesion and reduce inflammatory markers, suggesting a protective effect against atherosclerosis.

In contrast, white rice increased monocyte adhesion and inflammatory mediators, highlighting that wild rice may be a healthier option for cardiovascular health compared to white rice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhibitory Effects of North American Wild Rice on Monocyte Adhesion and Inflammatory Modulators in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Knockout Mice. Moghadasian, MH., Zhao, R., Ghazawwi, N., et al.[2017]

A combination of 60% wild rice and 2% phytosterols significantly reduced the size and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in LDL receptor knockout mice over a 20-week period, indicating its potential as a dietary intervention for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

This dietary combination also led to lower levels of total, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol in the blood, along with increased cholesterol excretion in feces, suggesting a mechanism by which it may help prevent atherogenesis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination effects of wild rice and phytosterols on prevention of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout mice. Moghadasian, MH., Alsaif, M., Le, K., et al.[2017]

Wild rice consumption in LDL receptor knockout mice led to an increase in beneficial gut bacteria and significant changes in plasma cytokine levels, particularly an increase in IL-10 and erythropoietin, which may contribute to its anti-atherogenic effects.

The study also found a surprising 60% increase in glucose levels in the plasma of wild rice-fed mice, suggesting that wild rice may influence macronutrient metabolism alongside its effects on inflammation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-Atherosclerotic Properties of Wild Rice in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice: The Gut Microbiome, Cytokines, and Metabolomics Study. Moghadasian, MH., Kaur, R., Kostal, K., et al.[2020]

Wild rice exhibits significantly higher antioxidant properties compared to white rice, with antioxidant activity 30 times greater, as demonstrated through various assays involving 11 commercial wild rice samples.

The study identified specific antioxidants in wild rice, including flavonoid glycosides and flavan-3-ols, and found a strong correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, suggesting that these compounds contribute to its health benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antioxidant activity of commercial wild rice and identification of flavonoid compounds in active fractions. Qiu, Y., Liu, Q., Beta, T.[2015]

References

1. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) prevents atherogenesis in LDL receptor knockout mice. [2013]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional constituents and health benefits of wild rice (Zizania spp.). [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhibitory Effects of North American Wild Rice on Monocyte Adhesion and Inflammatory Modulators in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Knockout Mice. [2017]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Combination effects of wild rice and phytosterols on prevention of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout mice. [2017]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-Atherosclerotic Properties of Wild Rice in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice: The Gut Microbiome, Cytokines, and Metabolomics Study. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antioxidant activity of commercial wild rice and identification of flavonoid compounds in active fractions. [2015]