University of Nebraska Lincoln
Sorghum is a nutrient-dense ancient grain that, when eaten as a whole grain, provides health-beneficial dietary fiber, protein, and phenolics. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the phenolic-dependent and independent effects of whole grain sorghum in adults with excess body weight. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are markers of immune and metabolic health affected differently by eating high- vs low-phenolic whole grain sorghum? * Does the gut microbiome respond differently to eating high- vs low-phenolic whole grain sorghum, and does this response explain the health effects? Researchers will compare foods made from (1) whole grain sumac sorghum (high phenolic profile), (2) whole grain white sorghum (low phenolic profile), and (3) white rice (control) randomly to identify the health benefits of sorghum relative to white rice. Participants will: * Consume three study foods daily during three intervention phases, with each phase lasting four weeks. The three study foods will be a cereal, crispy breadstick, and grain pouch product, which will be made from one of the study grains (sumac sorghum, white sorghum, or white rice). * Complete questionnaires asking about demographic, diet, lifestyle, quality-of-life, health, and gut health information. * Have height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, and blood pressure measured. * Wear a continuous glucose monitor 3 times, each for 10 days. * Have six blood draws, one saliva sample collection, and provide six stool samples. * Maintain a study journal during the three intervention phases.
Whole grain sorghum is a nutrient-dense, climate-resilient cereal grain that contains dietary fiber, protein, and bioactive compounds such as phenolics, which may beneficially influence gut microbiota and host immunometabolism. However, evidence from well-controlled human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains limited, particularly regarding how sorghum varieties with distinct phenolic profiles differentially affect metabolic health and the gut microbiome. This study is a randomized, three-phase crossover dietary intervention trial designed to evaluate the phenolic-dependent and independ…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Between the age of 19 and 64 years. 2. Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant (females only). 3. Stable body mass index above or equal to 26 kg/m² (rounded up) for the last month. 4. Body fat above or equal to 36% (female) or 25% (male) (rounded up). 5. No major diet changes in the last month. 6. Ability to eat provided study foods each day and avoid eating sorghum except for the study foods. 7. Ability to wear a continuous glucose monitor for 10 days. 8. Ability to have blood drawn after \~12 hours of fasting. 9. Have a bowel movement at least every thir…
Whole grain sumac sorghum consumed as cereal, breadsticks, and grain pouches for 4 weeks, at an amount of 84 g/day of whole grain (3 ounce servings).
Whole grain white sorghum consumed as cereal, breadsticks, and grain pouches for 4 weeks, at an amount of 84 g/day of whole grain (3 ounce servings).
White rice consumed as cereal, breadsticks, and grain pouches for 4 weeks, at an amount of 84 g/day of refined grain (3 ounce servings).