Saskatoon Berries for Blood Sugar Management in Healthy Individuals

Overseen By Amy Hui

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Must not be taking: Diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether Saskatoon berries can help manage blood sugar levels. Researchers are assessing the glycemic index (GI) of both dried whole berries and Saskatoon berry powder to determine how quickly these foods raise blood sugar. The goal is to offer clear guidance on using Saskatoon berries for blood sugar control. Individuals who are generally healthy and not taking medication for diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure may be suitable candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding natural methods for managing blood sugar.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it excludes people who are taking medications for diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that Saskatoon berry powder is generally safe for people. One study found that it lowered blood sugar and insulin levels and reduced inflammation in individuals consuming a high-fat, high-sugar diet, suggesting it might help manage blood sugar. Saskatoon berries are also rich in antioxidants, which benefit health.

Clear information on any negative effects of Saskatoon berry powder is lacking in the available sources. However, as a product made from natural fruit, it is typically safe when consumed as part of a balanced diet. Consulting a doctor before trying new treatments is always advisable. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using Saskatoon berry powder for blood sugar management because it offers a natural and potentially safer alternative to traditional medications like metformin or insulin. Unlike these standard treatments, which often have side effects, Saskatoon berries are rich in natural antioxidants and fiber, which may help regulate blood sugar levels without adverse effects. Additionally, the option to consume them as a drink or dried fruit provides flexibility in consumption, catering to personal preferences and potentially enhancing adherence to the regimen. This natural approach to managing blood sugar could be a game-changer for those looking for more holistic health options.

What evidence suggests that Saskatoon berry products could be effective for blood sugar management?

Research has shown that Saskatoon berries might help control blood sugar levels. Studies have found that consuming Saskatoon berry powder can lower fasting blood sugar and improve insulin use. In animal studies, Saskatoon berry powder reduced blood sugar by about 30%. In this trial, participants will receive either Saskatoon berry powder or dried whole Saskatoon berries. Both forms are high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and improve metabolism. These early findings suggest that Saskatoon berries could be useful for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy volunteers interested in helping assess the impact of dried Saskatoon berries and their powder on blood sugar levels. Participants should be generally healthy without any major medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am in good health.

Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Body Mass Index (BMI) >= 30 kg/m²

I have a history of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

I am on medication for diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either Saskatoon berry powder or whole fruit and undergo blood glucose monitoring

4 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Saskatoon berry powder

Trial Overview The study is testing how dried Saskatoon berry powder affects blood glucose after eating. It measures the glycemic index, which shows how quickly foods raise blood sugar, to provide dietary recommendations for managing glucose.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: SB powder Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Volunteers drink 25 g of SB powder (25g carbohydrate equivalent) with 250ml water (consumption within 10 minutes)

Group II: Dried whole SB fruit Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Volunteers intake Dried whole SB fruit (25g carbohydrate equivalent) within 20 minutes. Participants have option to choose intake one or both SB products. One week interval is required between the interventions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study with male Wistar rats, adding Saskatoon berry powder to a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 8 weeks significantly improved symptoms of diet-induced metabolic syndrome, including normalizing body weight, reducing visceral fat, and lowering blood pressure.

Saskatoon berry appears to enhance metabolic health by regulating key metabolic processes such as glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, as indicated by changes in liver enzyme expression and improved glucose tolerance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Saskatoon Berry Amelanchier alnifolia Regulates Glucose Metabolism and Improves Cardiovascular and Liver Signs of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats. du Preez, R., Wanyonyi, S., Mouatt, P., et al.[2021]

High consumption of berries, particularly bilberries and saskatoon berries, is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health issues due to their rich content of bioactive compounds like flavonoids and anthocyanins.

Recent studies suggest that these berries may improve cardiovascular risk factors, especially dyslipidemia, which is a key contributor to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Phytonutrients of bilberry fruit and saskatoon berry in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia. Kopčeková, J., Mrázová, J.[2022]

Supplementation with freeze-dried Saskatoon berry powder (SBp) in mice on a high fat-high sucrose diet significantly reduced glucose levels, inflammatory markers, and gut microbiota imbalances, indicating its potential as a therapeutic intervention for insulin resistance.

The study found that doses of SBp as low as 1% were effective in improving metabolic health, with greater doses leading to more pronounced benefits, suggesting a dose-response relationship in mitigating diet-induced disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dose-Responses Relationship in Glucose Lowering and Gut Dysbiosis to Saskatoon Berry Powder Supplementation in High Fat-High Sucrose Diet-Induced Insulin Resistant Mice. Zhao, R., Huang, F., Shen, GX.[2021]

In a randomized crossover trial with 20 postmenopausal women, high-fiber rye bread significantly increased acute insulin response compared to white-wheat bread, suggesting it may enhance insulin secretion.

Despite the increase in insulin response, high-fiber rye bread did not change insulin sensitivity, indicating that while it may improve beta cell function, it does not affect how the body responds to insulin in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-fiber rye bread and insulin secretion and sensitivity in healthy postmenopausal women. Juntunen, KS., Laaksonen, DE., Poutanen, KS., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-healthy-volunteers-hv-4-2025-2f492

Saskatoon Berries for Blood Sugar Management in Healthy ... In a study with male Wistar rats, adding Saskatoon berry powder to a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for 8 weeks significantly improved symptoms of diet- ...

2. austinpublishinggroup.com austinpublishinggroup.com/nutrition-food-sciences/fulltext/ajnfs-v7-id1111.php

The Potential Anti-Diabetic Effects of Saskatoon Berry in ... Therefore, we hypothesis that daily consumption of SBP reduces metabolic risk factors in an animal model of diabetes. To test our hypothesis, the present study ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8399366/

Dose-Responses Relationship in Glucose Lowering and ... Administration of freeze-dried powder of Saskatoon berry (SB), a popular fruit enriched with antioxidants, reduced glucose level, inflammatory ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/330930331_The_Potential_Anti-Diabetic_Effects_of_Saskatoon_Berry_in_Experimental_Mouse_Models

The Potential Anti-Diabetic Effects of Saskatoon Berry in ... Significant reduction of glucose (24-74%) production was observed in rat hepatocytes, when blueberry phenolic enriched defatted soybean ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/saskatoon-berry-for-metabolism-enhancement-54ddf

Saskatoon Berry for Metabolism Enhancement Research shows that Saskatoon berry can help improve metabolism by regulating glucose levels, reducing inflammation, and improving heart and liver health in ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06928688

Assessment of Glycemic Index for Dried Saskatoon Berries ... The glycemic index (GI) of dried SB powder and whole fruit remains undetermined, limiting our ability to make precise dietary recommendations.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7245660/

Bioactive Components and Health Benefits of Saskatoon Berry The nonpolar fraction of SB strongly inhibited aldose reductase, which is closely related to diabetic complications such as cataract, neuropathy ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286318309057

Impact of Saskatoon berry powder on insulin resistance ... The present study found that SBp reduced glucose, lipids, insulin and insulin resistance in addition to vascular inflammation in high fat-high sucrose (HFHS) ...

9. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10068-025-01997-7

Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia): nutritional ... These results suggest that STB powder and its anthocyanin extracts can be used as potential functional supplements to prevent diabetes. Another ...