Haskap Berry Powder for High Blood Pressure

Overseen By Semone Myrie, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Must not be taking: Pseudoephedrine, Anti-inflammatories, Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus

Disqualifiers: Gluten allergies, Cardiovascular diseases, Visual impairments, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 11

32 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants using medications containing pseudoephedrine, other anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus. If you are taking these, you would need to stop. For other medications, the protocol does not specify, so it's best to discuss with the trial team.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Haskalife(TM) Canadian Haskap Berry Powder Formulation for high blood pressure?

Research suggests that consuming berries, which are rich in polyphenols (natural compounds found in plants), may help lower blood pressure, especially in people with high blood pressure. Although the evidence is not definitive, similar berry-based treatments have shown potential in reducing blood pressure. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Haskap Berry Powder safe for human consumption?

There is no specific safety data available for Haskap Berry Powder, but similar berry products rich in polyphenols have been used in studies without reported safety concerns. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

How does Haskalife(TM) Canadian Haskap Berry Powder differ from other treatments for high blood pressure?

Haskalife(TM) Canadian Haskap Berry Powder is unique because it utilizes the polyphenols found in haskap berries, which are believed to help regulate blood pressure. Unlike standard medications, this treatment is a natural berry-based powder, potentially offering a dietary approach to managing high blood pressure. ^{1 3 4 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Haskap berries are rich in cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), which has been shown in vitro to enhance endothelial function. Previous clinical studies suggest haskap berry supplementation may improve cognition, mood, blood pressure, and athletic performance, but research is limited. This trial aims to contribute to the growing body of evidence on the effects of haskap berry supplementation. The trial is a 2-period, randomized, double-blinded, cross-over design lasting 16 weeks. During the first period (weeks 0-6), participants will receive either haskap berry powder or a control powder. A 4-week washout period follows (weeks 7-10), where no powder is consumed. In the second period (weeks 11-16), participants will receive the powder they did not consume in the first period.

Research Team

Semone Myrie, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for women experiencing high blood pressure and issues with alertness. Participants should be generally healthy, without any conditions that could interfere with the study or pose a risk when consuming berry powder.

Inclusion Criteria

Average systolic blood pressure between 120 and 150 mmHg

Average diastolic blood pressure between 75 and 100 mmHg

Willing and able to provide informed consent to participate in the trial

Exclusion Criteria

I am not taking pseudoephedrine, anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus.

I am currently undergoing chemotherapy.

I am a biological male.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment Period 1

Participants receive either haskap berry powder or a control powder

6 weeks

Visits at weeks 0 and 6

Washout

No powder is consumed during this period

4 weeks

Treatment Period 2

Participants receive the powder they did not consume in the first period

6 weeks

Visits at weeks 11 and 16

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Haskalife(TM) Canadian Haskap Berry Powder Formulation

Trial Overview The trial tests if Haskap Berry Powder can improve blood pressure and alertness in women. It's a double-blind study where participants randomly get either the berry powder or a placebo, switch after a break, and don't know which one they're taking.

Participant Groups

Group I: Haskap Powder then Control Powder Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The participants will consume the haskap powder between weeks 0 and 6. A washout period will occur between weeks 7 and 10. After the washout period, the participants will consume the control powder between weeks 11 and 16. None of the participants or investigators will know the identities of the powder or the participants' allocations.

Group II: Control Powder then Haskap Powder. Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The participants will consume the control powder between weeks 0 and 6. A washout period will occur between weeks 7 and 10. After the washout period, the participants will consume the haskap powder between weeks 11 and 16. None of the participants or investigators will know the identities of the powder or the participants' allocations.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Findings from Research

Current clinical evidence suggests that while there is no direct blood pressure lowering effect from dietary berry consumption, certain berries may help normalize blood pressure in individuals who are already hypertensive.

The review highlights the potential role of specific berry polyphenols, such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, in influencing blood pressure regulation, although results are mixed and complicated by confounding factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence. Vendrame, S., Adekeye, TE., Klimis-Zacas, D.[2022]

In a 12-week study involving 134 healthy individuals with high normal blood pressure or stage 1-2 hypertension, consumption of polyphenol-rich berry juices significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared to a placebo, with reductions of 6.9 mmHg at 6 weeks and 3.4 mmHg at 12 weeks.

The blood pressure variability was also significantly lower in participants consuming the berry juices, indicating that these juices may be particularly beneficial for individuals with hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyphenol-rich juices reduce blood pressure measures in a randomised controlled trial in high normal and hypertensive volunteers. Tjelle, TE., Holtung, L., Bøhn, SK., et al.[2015]

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]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Should we eat more potassium to better control blood pressure in hypertension? [2020]

3. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety and adherence of Umezu polyphenols in the Japanese plum (Prunus mume) in a 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial to evaluate antihypertensive effects. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyphenol-rich juices reduce blood pressure measures in a randomised controlled trial in high normal and hypertensive volunteers. [2015]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of dietary modifications on the blood pressure response to antihypertensive medication. [2011]

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

Chlorogenic acid from coffee beans: evaluating the evidence for a blood pressure-regulating health claim. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional approaches in tackling hypertension. [2019]

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

Effects of dietary nitrates on systemic and cerebrovascular hemodynamics. [2021]

9. Switzerland 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. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Artichoke leaf juice contains antihypertensive effect in patients with mild hypertension. [2012]