Skip to content

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

Effect of Consumption of Cowpea Leaves on Postprandial Blood Glucose in Healthy Black Adults: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05750316
Enrollment
12
Registered
2023-03-01
Start date
2023-03-01
Completion date
2023-07-13
Last updated
2024-07-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Black Ethnicity

Keywords

Black ethnicity, Blood Glucose, Leaves, Cowpea, Vegetable

Brief summary

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.

Interventions

OTHERCowpea leaves mixed with Jam

6g of freeze-dried cowpea leaves, equivalent to 80g(a portion) of vegetables mixed with Jam and spread on bread

OTHERJam mixed with green food colour

Jam with green food colouring spread on bread

Sponsors

University of Reading
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in postprandial blood glucose measured by incremental area under the curve and area under the curveAt baseline (t=0 hours) and 15 minutes interval until (t=3 hours)Postprandial blood glucose measured by a continuous glucose monitor. The incremental area under curve and area under the curve will be used as a measure of the postprandial blood glucose

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in blood pressureAt baseline (t=0 hours) and every 30 minute until (t=3 hours)Systolic and diastolic blood pressure by blood pressure monitor
Microvascular blood flowAt baseline (t=0 hours) and (t=2.5 hours)Microvascular blood flow using Laser doppler Imaging with Iontophoresis

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026