Researchers from the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health are looking for volunteers to help them discover whether blaeberry extract can reduce sugar intake when taken with a meal and therefore have long term benefits in preventing the development of diabetes.
The team behind the study are seeking men aged between 40 and 70 who feel they may be overweight -, or post menopausal women who also may have weight concerns to take part in the study, as well people in the same age group who have Type 2 Diabetes, which is controlled by diet alone.
An open evening will be held later this month (June 19) in order to give interested members of the public more of an insight into the work carried out by the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and will give those who attend the opportunity to hear from Dr Nigel Hoggard who leading the study. A tour of the Human Nutrition Unit and refreshments will also be available for those who attend.
The event, which will take place from 5.45pm to 7pm on Wednesday, June 19, is open to all members of the public.
The study will involve taking a blaeberry extract in a capsule and five visits to the Rowett.
The first visit is to consent to and discuss the study. The volunteer will then be asked to take a capsule three times a day containing either blaeberry extract or a control extract over two three week periods.
All volunteers will get both types of capsules (blaeberry extract and control) with a break in between taking each set of capsules. Volunteers will then be asked to come in at the beginning and end of each of the three week periods to give blood over a four hour period so that the research team can measure their blood sugars and other makers related to health. This will help to determine if the blaeberry capsule is having an effect on markers of health and how the metabolism of sugar compared with the control capsule.
Dr Hoggard said: “The open evening is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who may be interested in taking part in a research study to come along and find out more about what it is our researchers do.
“We are always keen to hear from anyone who may wish to take part in any of our studies and would be delighted to provide anyone with any more information they need.
“This particular study could potentially provide us with extremely important findings, however as is always the case with these areas of research, we really do need the public to help us by volunteering to take part.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the study, or interested in attending the event on June 19, should contact Nigel Hoggard by calling 01224 438700 or by emailing: n.hoggard@abdn.ac.uk