Saskatoon Berry for Metabolism Enhancement

Overseen By Garry Shen, MD PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Must not be taking: Hypoglycemics, Antihypertensives, Lipid-lowering, Antibiotics

Disqualifiers: Myocardial infarction, Stroke, Hypertension, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether Saskatoon berries can improve metabolism and manage blood sugar levels, crucial for preventing or managing type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body struggles to use insulin properly. Researchers aim to determine if consuming these berries affects glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and gut health in healthy individuals. The study invites healthy individuals living in Winnipeg to participate and sign a consent form. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on natural methods to support metabolic health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants not be taking hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering medications, or antibiotics within one month before joining.

What prior data suggests that Saskatoon berry is safe for human consumption?

Earlier studies have shown that Saskatoon berries offer several health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar and improving cholesterol levels. Tests on animals and a small group of healthy people suggest the berry might help with insulin resistance and other diabetes-related issues. However, direct safety information for Saskatoon berries in humans remains limited.

Saskatoon berries, like most fruits, are generally safe to eat. In one study with 20 healthy people, participants who consumed 40 grams of dried Saskatoon berries daily for 10 weeks reported no major side effects. This suggests the berries are well-tolerated. However, since this was a small study, more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger groups. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Saskatoon berry is unique because it's a natural, whole-food option that may enhance metabolism without the synthetic ingredients typically found in traditional treatments. Unlike standard metabolic enhancers that often involve chemical supplements or medications, the Saskatoon berry offers a plant-based approach, rich in antioxidants and nutrients. Researchers are excited about its potential to provide a more holistic and less invasive method to boost metabolism, tapping into the berry’s natural properties to support overall health.

What evidence suggests that Saskatoon berry might be an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes?

Research has shown that Saskatoon berries can improve metabolism by managing blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and supporting heart and liver health. Studies in mice and rats indicate that these berries help with insulin resistance and lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol. Early research in humans suggests that consuming Saskatoon berries reduces fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. These benefits may relate to changes in gut health, which affects metabolism. Overall, Saskatoon berries appear to be a promising natural option for managing metabolic issues, including type 2 diabetes. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Garry Shen, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy individuals living in Winnipeg who are willing to sign an informed consent. It's not open to those taking hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive or lipid-lowering medications, antibiotics within the last month, or with a history of serious metabolic diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

Healthy subjects living in Winnipeg.

Willingness to sign an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a history of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or kidney disease.

I have been taking medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or antibiotics in the last month.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments including OGTT, insulin, liver enzymes, creatinine, lipid profile, and inflammation markers

<1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive 30 g/day of freeze-dried Saskatoon berry for 10 weeks

10 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and gut microbiota

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Saskatoon berry

Trial Overview The study investigates the effects of freeze-dried Saskatoon berry on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and gut microbiota in healthy adults. This pilot trial aims to explore if this berry can help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Single arm Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Single arm for healthy subjects using dried whole Saskatoon berry

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Manitoba

Collaborator

Trials

17

Recruited

9,500+

Diabetes Canada

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

1,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Wild berries from the Pacific Northwest, such as huckleberries and black elderberries, have high levels of beneficial polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins, which are linked to health benefits like antioxidant properties.

The Oregon grape stands out with over 1 gram of polyphenols per 100 grams and a diverse range of anthocyanin classes, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to diets for its nutritional and health-promoting potential.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Polyphenolic profiles of a variety of wild berries from the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Higbee, J., Brownmiller, C., Solverson, P., et al.[2023]

In a study involving Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats with reno-cardiac disease, a diet enriched with Saskatoon berry (SKB) for 8 weeks did not reduce kidney weight or blood pressure but did help mitigate cardiac remodeling and lower oxidative stress markers.

The SKB diet showed potential cardioprotective properties, suggesting that its antioxidant content may be beneficial in preventing heart-related issues in conditions like polycystic kidney disease, although further human studies are needed to confirm these effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Saskatoon berry supplementation prevents cardiac remodeling without improving renal disease in an animal model of reno-cardiac syndrome. Raj, P., Louis, XL., Yu, L., et al.[2021]

A study of four Saskatoon berry genotypes identified 48 bioactive compounds, including various polyphenols, carotenoids, and tocopherols, which are known for their health benefits.

Among the genotypes, the Polish breeding clone no. 5/6 had significantly lower levels of beneficial compounds and antioxidant activity compared to the other three genotypes, suggesting that the latter may be more valuable for health-related applications and fruit production.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The composition of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) genotypes grown in central Poland. Lachowicz, S., Oszmiański, J., Pluta, S.[2018]

Five species of wild Alaskan berries were found to contain bioactive compounds that can help reduce metabolic disorders, with R. spectabilis significantly increasing preadipocyte factor 1 expression by 182%.

Extracts from these berries reduced serum glucose levels in mice by up to 45%, highlighting their potential as a natural treatment for obesity and diabetes, while also emphasizing the importance of monitoring these resources as climate change affects their availability.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Alaskan wild berry resources and human health under the cloud of climate change. Kellogg, J., Wang, J., Flint, C., et al.[2021]

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]

Saskatoon berry powder (SBp) significantly reduced body weight gain and improved metabolic and inflammatory markers in diet-induced obese mice over a 15-week period, indicating its potential as a dietary intervention for obesity-related disorders.

The study found that SBp altered the gut microbiota composition, specifically lowering the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which is associated with improved metabolic health and reduced inflammation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of Saskatoon berry powder on insulin resistance and relationship with intestinal microbiota in high fat-high sucrose diet-induced obese mice. Zhao, R., Khafipour, E., Sepehri, S., et al.[2020]

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]

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]

Saskatoon berries are rich in flavonoids, particularly flavonols like quercetin and rutin, which are powerful antioxidants contributing to their health benefits.

The high flavonoid content in Saskatoon berries is linked to various health-promoting effects, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and chemo-protective properties.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Flavonoid profile of Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) and their health promoting effects. Juríková, T., Balla, S., Sochor, J., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231198/

Saskatoon Berry Amelanchier alnifolia Regulates Glucose ... These results suggest that Saskatoon berry regulates glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis to improve metabolic syndrome.

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

Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia): nutritional ... Moreover, the berry samples have been demonstrated to regulate lipid metabolism, ameliorating metabolic syndrome (Kraft et al., 2008).

3. 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 ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/395916304_Saskatoon_berry_Amelanchier_alnifolia_nutritional_composition_phytochemical_health_benefits_shelf-life_extension_and_utilization

(PDF) Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia): nutritional ... These bioactive constituents have many health advantages, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic syndrome modulating, antimicrobial ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32230955/

Saskatoon Berry Amelanchier alnifolia Regulates Glucose ... These results suggest that Saskatoon berry regulates glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis to improve metabolic syndrome.

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

Bioactive Components and Health Benefits of Saskatoon Berry Flavonoid compounds in Saskatoon berries, in particular flavanol, anthocyanin, and proanthocyanin, possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabetes ...