Haskap berry supplement for thinking, mood, blood sugar, and blood vessel health in adults 50+
Official title: Investigating the Cognitive, Vascular, and Metabolic Benefits of a Vitamin- and Mineral-Enhanced Haskap Berry Dietary Supplement
Run by University of Reading · NCT07119788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether a vitamin- and mineral-enhanced haskap berry supplement can improve thinking, mood, blood sugar responses, and vascular function in healthy adults aged 50 and over after a meal and after 4 weeks of daily use.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Reading Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Reading) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 19, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 2026 |
| Study ends | April 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 13, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07119788 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are generally healthy adults aged 50 or older with normal BMI, limited fruit and vegetable intake (≤4 servings/day), adequate English and sensory ability for testing, and no major medical conditions or medications that affect outcomes.
✕Probably not a fit
People with diagnosed cardiometabolic disease (including type II diabetes or cardiovascular disease), untreated hypertension, thrombosis-related disorders, those taking blood thinners, certain dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan/vegetarian), food allergies, or recent antibiotic use are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will recruit healthy adults aged 50+ and compare a vitamin- and mineral-enhanced haskap powder, pure haskap powder, and a placebo over two in-person testing visits spaced 4 weeks apart. Participants follow a low-polyphenol diet before visits and receive the supplement as part of a meal to measure acute (2-hour) responses and after 4 weeks of daily supplementation to measure chronic effects. Cognitive and mood batteries (memory, executive function, stress), finger-prick blood glucose, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for vascular reactivity will be measured at baseline, 2 hours post-meal, and after 4 weeks. The trial compares effects of the enhanced product versus plain haskap powder and placebo to identify any additional cognitive, metabolic, or cardiovascular benefits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a readily available dietary supplement to modestly improve cognitive performance, mood, blood sugar control, and vascular function in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies of berry-derived polyphenols have reported some short-term cognitive and vascular benefits but results are mixed and long-term benefits remain unproven, making this vitamin-enhanced haskap formulation relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 50+ years old * Fruit \& veg intake less than or equal to 4 servings per day * Adequate English language and visual \& auditory acuity to perform the cognitive tasks * Normal BMI for age Exclusion Criteria: * Being diagnosed with psychological or psychiatric disorders * ADHD or dyslexia * Any food allergy or intolerance * Use of medications and dietary supplements that may impact study results * Antibiotic use within the last 3 months * Adherence to vegan or vegetarian diets, or other specific diets that may impact study outcomes * Conditions altering absorption of nutrients (e.g. celiac disease) * Being diagnosed with cardiometabolic disease (including type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease), or suffer from untreated hypertension or thrombosis related disorders * Taking blood thinners
Where it's running
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Nutrition, Cognition & Health Lab, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading
Reading, United Kingdom Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Claire Williams — University of Reading
- Study coordinator: Lynne Bell
- Email: l.bell@reading.ac.uk
- Phone: 01189788313
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.