Investigating the Effects of a Haskap Berry Supplement on Cognitive Health

This study aims to investigate the postprandial (2h) and longer term (4 week) effects of a haskap berry supplement on cognitive, vascular, and metabolic function in healthy ageing adults aged 50+.

This project aims to investigate the acute benefits (during the immediate post prandial period up to 2 hours) and chronic benefits (following 4 weeks daily supplementation) of a vitamin- and mineral-enhanced haskap berry supplement made from freeze-dried, powdered haskap berries. The main objective of this study is to trial the product in older adults aged 50+ to determine any cognitive, metabolic, or cardiovascular benefits over and above haskap powder alone or a placebo powder. The study will involve a screening visit and two testing visits, 4 weeks apart. For the 24 hours prior to each test visit, participants are asked to follow a low polyphenol diet. They are requested not to consume any food or drinks except water after 8.30pm, and on the morning of test visits to only consume one slice of buttered white toast and a glass of water prior to attending the visit. During the testing visits, cognitive and mood battery tests (to include measures of memory, executive functions, and stress, will be taken at baseline, at 2 hours following the consumption of the supplement as part of a meal, and again at 4 weeks following daily consumption of the supplement added to their usual diet. Blood glucose finger pricks will be recorded at each time point along with FMD (a measure of vascular reactivity).