A Single Supplement of a Standardised Bilberry Extract Modifies Glycaemic Response

Summary

Dietary strategies for alleviating health complications associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are being pursued as alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions. Berries such as bilberries that are rich in polyphenols may influence carbohydrate digestion and absorption and thus postprandial glycaemia. In addition berries have been reported to alter incretins as well as to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may also affect postprandial glycaemia. This study investigated the acute affect of a standardised bilberry extract on glucose metabolism in T2D.

Eight male volunteers with T2D controlling their diabetes by diet and lifestyle alone were given a single oral capsule of either 0.47g standardized bilberry extract (36% (w/w) anthocyanins) which equates to ∼50 g of fresh bilberries or placebo followed by a polysaccharide drink (equivalent to 75 g glucose) in a double blinded cross over intervention with a two week washout period.

This study demonstrates that the ingestion of a concentrated bilberry extract reduces postprandial glycaemia and insulin in volunteers with T2D. The most likely mechanism for the lower glycaemic response involves reduced rates of carbohydrate digestion and/or absorption.

Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Bilberry capsule first, then control cap

Male subjects aged \>40 and \<70 years, with type 2 diabetes controlling their diabetes by diet alone closely matched for adiposity as determined by waist circumference (n=8). Volunteers will be randomised double blinded into two groups (n=4 per group) and given a single capsule of either 0.47 grams of a bilberry extract (mirtoselect provided by Indena S.p.A (http://www.mirtoselect.info/) or a control capsule. Following a two week wash out period the volunteers will be asked to take a second single capsule of either of 0.47 grams of mirtoselect or a control capsule in a cross over study, the opposite of what they took the first time.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Control capsule first then bilberry cap

Male subjects aged \>40 and \<70 years, with type 2 diabetes controlling their diabetes by diet alone closely matched for adiposity as determined by waist circumference (n=8). Volunteers will be randomised double blinded into two groups (n=4 per group) and given a single capsule of either 0.47 grams of a bilberry extract (mirtoselect provided by Indena S.p.A (http://www.mirtoselect.info/) or a control capsule. Following a two week wash out period the volunteers will be asked to take a second single capsule of either of 0.47 grams of mirtoselect or a control capsule in a cross over study, the opposite of what they took the first time.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Aberdeen

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nigel Hoggard, PhD · University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-09-30

Primary Completion

2013-08-31

Completion

2013-08-31

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations