Impact of Consumption of Cowpea Leaves on Postprandial Blood Glucose in Black Adults, a Pilot Study

University of Reading

Status: Completed

Conditions: Black Ethnicity

Treatments: Other: Cowpea leaves mixed with Jam; Other: Jam mixed with green food colour

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05750316

06/2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

Intake of foods high in carbohydrates causes a spike in glucose in the blood. Repeated high blood glucose spikes are associated with an increased risk of diabetes. People of black ethnicity have higher risk of diabetes. Vegetables may help in the regulation of blood glucose. Cowpea, also referred to as black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) leaves, contain polyphenols and fibre that can help regulate blood glucose.

The study will be an acute, single-blind, randomised control trial with a cross-over design involving healthy black participants aged ≥18 years. This clinical trial aims to investigate if consuming cowpea leaves can reduce blood glucose spikes after consuming a meal high in carbohydrates. Participants will be randomised to consume either bread with jam containing freeze-dried cowpea leaves (active intervention) or jam without any freeze-dried powder (control group). Blood glucose will be monitored before the intervention and every 15 minutes after the intervention using a continuous glucose monitor.

Enrollment: 12 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged ≥ 18 years
• Participants from Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic backgrounds,which includes: Caribbean, African, Any other Black, Black British, or Caribbean background
• Should be able to give informed consent
• Should be willing to provide GP's contact details

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or lactating mothers
• Special dietary requirements such as vegetarians and vegans
• Participants who are on a specialised diet such as a weight reduction diet
• Having any chronic illness or taking medication for chronic illness
• Participants whose blood results indicate illness
• Participants on mediation for hypertension or hyperlipidaemia
• Sportsmen or women or vigorous exercise for more than 5 times per week
• Alcohol (more than 14 units per week) or drug abusers.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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12 participants in 2 patient groups

Freeze dried cowpea leaves mixed in jam

Experimental group

Description:

6g of freeze-dried cowpea leaves (equivalent to one portion of vegetables) mixed with apricot jam and spread on bread.

Treatment:

Other: Cowpea leaves mixed with Jam

Jam with green food colour

Active Comparator group

Description:

Apricot jam mixed with green colouring and spread on bread

Treatment:

Other: Jam mixed with green food colour