Using a continuous glucose monitor to see how herbs and spices change potato-related blood sugar
Glucosidase Inhibitors and Glucose Metabolism
This pilot tests whether wearing a continuous glucose monitor can detect changes in post-meal blood sugar when adults without diabetes eat a potato with or without herbs and spices.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 10 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Trial ID | NCT07254624 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot will enroll up to 10 adults without diabetes who meet BMI and other eligibility criteria. Participants will wear a continuous glucose monitor and consume three standardized potato entrees on separate days in a randomized order: potato with no herbs, potato with herbs and spices at the same meal, and potato with herbs and spices at a later meal. Meals are matched for calories, composition, and preparation, and post-consumption glucose responses are recorded by the CGM. The design tests whether the presence and timing of a mix of five herbs and spices produce measurable differences in postprandial glucose.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults without diabetes, BMI 20–35, who are weight-stable, have no food allergies to the study items, have smartphone access, and are willing to wear a CGM for at least 10 days.
Not a fit: People with diabetes, recent bariatric surgery, pregnancy or lactation, medical conditions or medications that affect glucose, those with food allergies to the study items, or people who routinely eat more than one serving of potatoes daily are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could show that CGMs can detect modest changes in post-meal glucose from herbs and spices and help guide simple dietary choices to reduce blood sugar spikes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies have used CGMs to measure dietary effects and some research suggests certain herbs and spices can modestly reduce post-meal glucose, but applying CGMs specifically to the timing and pairing of herbs with starchy vegetables is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * body mass index (BMI): 20-35 * no dietary restriction or food allergies to study items * weight stable * access to a smart phone * willingness to wear a continuous glucose monitor for the duration of the study (at minimum 10 days) Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy or anticipating pregnancy or lactation * food allergy to study items * diagnosed diabetes (type 1 or 2) or taking diabetes medications * history of bariatric surgery * consumed \>1 serving of potatoes daily before enrollment * 5% weight loss or gain within the past 6 months * medical conditions or medication that would prevent the ability to comply with the treatment assignment and/or affect blood glucose or energy balance * condition which would prevent the ability to wear a continuous glucose monitor on the upper arm for the study duration
Where this trial is running
Birmingham, Alabama
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel L Smith Jr, PhD
- Email: dsmithjr@uab.edu
- Phone: 205-934-4086
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.